Among the funding priorities are $12 million in slab repairs at Madden Elementary and $6.2 million for an Olympic-style aquatics center.
While trustees expressed support for the projects, concerns about student impact, contingency depletion and cost transparency prompted calls for a dedicated meeting to address Madden Elementary specifically.
“How are we coming up with those numbers?” board President Kristin Tassin said. “And are we exploring all possibilities for ensuring that we not only get this done efficiently, but as cost effectively as possible?”
How its going
FBISD administrators are looking at $65.4 million in contingency funds as of May 31 after all other 2023 bond projects have received cost estimates, Chief Financial Officer Bryan Guinn said.
The board is to slated to vote at the June 23 meeting to move $400,000 to assess the condition of existing facilities for long-term boundary planning and potential land sales and $1.54 million on major maintenance, including chiller and boiler replacements, leaving $63.62 million in contingency funds, Guinn said.
Guinn proposed several uses for contingency funds, including:
- $6.2 million to supplement the $22.9 million required for the aquatic facilities construction
- $12 million to supplement the $19 million required for slab repairs at Madden Elementary School
- $21.2 million for unexpected building system failures or maintenance needs tied to facilities funded under Proposition A
- $8.2 million for a once-deferred special education transportation facility
Unlike the more flexible 2014 and 2018 bonds, the 2023 bond legally separates funding by proposition, meaning money set aside for Proposition A cannot be shifted to cover cost overruns in other areas, such as the aquatic facility funded by Proposition C, Guinn said.
The $46.6 million in Proposition A contingency funds can only be used for Proposition A projects—primarily school construction and facility repairs, Guinn said.
Zooming in
Nicola Springer, executive vice president and the director of pK-12 projects at Kirksey Architecture, revealed the schematic design for the new aquatics practice facility, including:
- An Olympic-sized, 50-meter pool with diving areas and a new USA Club Dive program
- Natural ventilation and radiant heated flooring to reduce heating, ventilation and air conditioning energy use
- Seating capacity for 400 spectators, using portable bleachers
- 80 parking spaces, with additional capacity available via adjacent school parking
- Amenities such as locker rooms, a weight training room, coaches’ offices, concessions and equipment storage
Springer said the site also includes rain mitigation strategies and transitional concrete zones to prevent mud from entering the pool deck during wet weather.
While trustees raised concerns about parking adequacy and seating for spectators, especially compared to the district’s existing facility, Springer said design input came directly from FBISD aquatic coaches and program managers.
Another thing
Board members voiced concern over the impact on students at Madden Elementary School, as repairs are expected to span the 2026-27 school year.
If approved, Guinn said planning and student relocation logistics will occur during the 2025-26 school year.
Next steps
Administrators plan to present the Madden Elementary slab replacement and special education transportation facility projects for board consideration in July, Guinn said.
A vote on the aquatics practice facility is expected in February, while funding requests for a series of Proposition A life-cycle deficiency projects will begin coming to the board starting in August.
