Next week the Hays CISD board of trustees will vote on the first schematic designs for the new career and technical education building at Lehman High School.

Voters approved a total budget of $5.5 million for new auto and veterinarian tech facilities and a renovated broadcasting studio in the May bond election. The budget includes construction cost, furniture, equipment, material testing, and architect and engineer fees.

It was originally estimated that construction would be $4.1 million. However, according to HCISD Chief Operations Officer Max Cleaver, with the schematic designs done the construction cost is up to approximately $4.3 million.

Cleaver said he feels that price of the project will go down as more work is done.

"I never like to speak in absolutes, but I have a very good feeling we will on budget with this [project]," Cleaver said.

HCISD board of trustees President Meredith Keller questioned why the building was separate from the main building. Cleaver said that the drainage ditch next to the main building made attachment difficult but not impossible.

HCISD Public Information Officer Tim Savoy said pending board approval, construction on the new auto and veterinarian tech facilities could start as early as Aug. 1 and should be ready for students at the beginning of the 2019-20 school year, and the broadcast center renovation is slated for summer 2019 and should be ready by winter break 2019.

The board of trustees will vote on the designs March 26.