LONGVIEW, Texas — Longview ISD board trustees on Monday authorized Superintendent Dr. James Wilcox to start negotiating with an architectural firm concerning the recently approved $456.2 million bond projects.
On Monday, the trustees said Wilcox could begin to negotiate a contract with Dallas-based firm The DLR Group. In the May 4 election, voters approved all five propositions within the bond, including addressing aging buildings, building a new Early Childhood Center and renovations to repurpose the current facility, building a new multi-purpose facility, making renovations to Lobo Stadium and Judson Middle School Stadium, and building a an aquatics center/natatorium facility.
According to Longview ISD, the firm has worked on over 900 renovation projects, 200 school additions, 1,400 addition and renovation combinations, and over 1,100 new school construction projects.
Assistant Superintendent of Finance Dr. Wayne Guidry also presented trustees with the next steps for the bond projects after Wilcox has negotiated terms with the DLR Group architectural firm. He gave an overview of how propositions A through E will be implemented, such as assembling the right teams of architects and construction firms.
Guidry said the immediate priorities will be securing Longview High School with fencing, and then fast-tracking the new Career and Technical Education building and multi-purpose facility to make room for further high school renovations and capitalize on economies of scale. The other projects will follow standard design and construction timelines, according to the school district.