Mesquite ISD board approves schematic design, $60.4 million total cost estimate for North Mesquite High School renovation and addition

The Mesquite ISD Board of Trustees approved the schematic design for North Mesquite High School on June 9, 2025, voting 7-0 to move the project into the next stages of procurement and design.

The schematic covers a two-story classroom addition and broad renovation of the existing campus. The addition includes a 32,000-square-foot storm shelter sized to hold the campus population currently housed in portable classrooms; 15 core classrooms; an e-sports computer lab; a child development classroom; health sciences and fashion design CTE spaces; and a multipurpose room currently programmed for dance and cheer. The plan calls for generator capacity to support the shelter and for demolition and removal of portables after construction is complete.

Jay Russell, Mesquite ISD, introduced the design team and framed the effort as the district’s first project from the voter-approved 2025 bond. Roland Gentry, project manager for WRA, described major renovation work included in the schematic: selective roof replacements, replacement of air-handling units and significant mechanical upgrades, plumbing and electrical equipment replacement (including panels and main switchgear), ceiling replacements, asbestos abatement, and selective finish upgrades. The design also proposes replacing the existing fire alarm system and adding fire sprinklers in older portions of the building that are not currently sprinklered.

Graham Bowman (WRA) and other designers said the addition will be placed off the 2008 science wing, in the area now occupied by tennis courts; the project will therefore relocate the tennis facilities and athletic-site elements in coordination with the athletics department. The design team reported they have engaged campus leadership, food services, athletics, facilities management, career/technical education and safety/security during schematic development and have started the city permitting process including a conditional‑use pre-application and forthcoming site-plan submission.

The project schedule as presented calls for issuing design drawings to contractors about mid-November 2025, seeking a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) under bid or under-budget pricing in February, and completing construction in 2027. The team said they have already used the construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) delivery method and opened 11 general-contractor bids; Mesquite ISD construction services expects to recommend a contractor in July. The designers said some construction will require summer shutdowns to allow equipment replacements such as switchgear and HVAC systems.

Budget figures presented to the board list a targeted GMP construction budget of $52,600,000 and a total project cost of $60,400,000. The total project cost includes construction, CM fees, bonds and insurance, allowances and contingencies, design fees, furniture/fixtures/equipment, material testing and commissioning. The design team said the district will continue departmental coordination as design development proceeds and expects to provide additional public renderings and an interior video later in the process.

Trustee Everett moved to approve the schematic; Trustee Collier seconded. The motion passed 7-0.

Board members asked several operational and safety questions at the meeting. Trustees asked about securing an existing breezeway and canopy; the design team said they will investigate security redundancies and review options with campus administration and district safety staff. Trustees also asked about relocating the tennis courts across Mesquite Drive; the team said the courts will be lit and camera‑monitored and that an elevated pedestrian bridge is not planned because TxDOT controls that right-of-way and limits such structures.

The board’s schematic approval authorizes the district and its design and construction teams to continue with design development, permitting and contractor selection in accordance with the 2025 bond program. The district will return to the board for additional approvals, including awarding the GMP and any related contracts, as those items are finalized.