Conroe ISD approved the construction managers at-risk for three new schools during a school board meeting April 18. The proposed campuses are expected to be a part of the 2023 bond referendum, which has not yet been placed on the ballot for Nov. 7, according to information from the district. The final day to put a bond on the ballot is Aug. 21, according to previous reporting.

"Our obligation is for preconstruction services at this time," said Easy Foster, director of planning and construction for the district, during the meeting. "So [we are] estimating constructibility reviews and working with our architecture firm to make sure this program plan comes together, and hits our budget targets and program needs."

If the bond referendum is approved by voters in November, Foster said the early approval of the at-risk managers will allow the district to move forward with bidding and receiving a guaranteed maximum price.

According to Foster, the top five choices for construction managers were chosen out a pool of applicants, and were assessed for price and value.

Marshall Construction was chosen for the the first campus, a new elementary/intermediate school in The Woodlands High School feeder zone. Out of nine total applications, Foster said the company was not the lowest bidder, but it was selected as the best value.

Marshall Construction is a fourth-generation, family-owned business based out of Missouri City specializing in building K-12 schools, according to the business' website. Previous Montgomery County projects listed include College Park High School, Suchma Elementary School, Irons Junior High School, Rice Elementary School and Sam Houston Elementary School.

For the proposed campus for seventh through ninth grade in the Grand Oaks feeder zone, the district chose Ellisor Constructors, which was the lowest bidder.

In January 2021, according to a CISD agenda item, Ellisor Constructors was awarded the bid for the district's safety and security project, which included renovating the CISD Moorhead Stadium.

Lastly, out of five applications, the district selected Joeris General Contractors for the new proposed high school in the Conroe area. Joeris General Contractors has produced projects for large districts, such as Allen, Frisco, Round Rock and Austin ISDs.

According to the board agenda, now that the trustees have selected the construction managers, the district can begin contract negotiations.