Bond projects on track, district says; new schools to include solar and geothermal features

The Denton ISD bond program is advancing on schedule, a committee representative and district construction staff told trustees April 14.

Dean Anthony, representing the bond progress committee, said the March 25 site visit to the renovated Hodge Elementary produced positive reports on four major projects and that the staff has ‘‘done a tremendous job of providing us with good information’’ about timelines and budgets. ‘‘It looks like this is a tremendously successful construction project under the bond program,’’ Anthony said.

Brandon Boiter, who presented the construction update, reviewed photos and timeline slides for Borman Elementary, Jennings (a same-floorplan project), Bryan High School multipurpose upgrades and the large site for High School No. 5. Boiter said the new elementary projects are insulated concrete form (ICF) buildings that will include solar on the roof and geothermal HVAC when complete. He described Borman as “really just about in the dry” and said site work, framing and interior finishes are underway across multiple campuses.

Boiter also described utility and property work tied to the High School No. 5 site, including a small land swap with the City of Crossroads to secure parking and access adjacent to the planned Collector Road. Trustees asked about project sequencing and design similarities; staff said Blumberg and Jennings use the same floor plan with different aesthetics and finishes.

No major change orders or budget problems were reported to the board during the update. Trustees thanked construction staff for managing projects ahead of the summer work season and for providing transparency to the bond progress committee.