Information Update Related to Ninth-Grade Centers for Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School
ROCKWALL, TX (Oct. 11, 2022) District leadership presented a construction update for the Ninth-Grade Centers for Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School, scheduled to open in August 2024.
Like all other Texas school districts across the metroplex, Rockwall ISD is facing significant challenges for the Ninth-Grade Centers due to increased construction costs and inflation since the bond passed in November 2021. The District anticipated cost escalation by budgeting approximately $21.1 million for the Ninth-Grade Centers in the 2021 bond to address inflation. Unfortunately, due to a 40-year historically high inflation rate realized over the past 12-18 months, the amount budgeted for inflation was still insufficient.
Other Premium Costs Increasing the Cost of the Ninth-Grade Centers
District leaders informed the Board of the following off-site development costs increasing the cost of the Ninth-Grade Centers project:
- Infrastructure requested initially by the City totaled an estimated $16.5 million in roadways, water lines, and wastewater lines.
- Per the Traffic Impact Analysis and other infrastructure studies, the District estimated that $10.6 million were unnecessary for the Ninth-Grade Center developments.
- Ultimately, the City approved both Ninth-Grade Center site plans at an estimated $9.9 million in infrastructure costs. This infrastructure cost includes the Stable Glen Road extension, which the District has no current plans to connect to and the roadway does not connect to any current development.
- The City requires a 3-tiered screening of canopy trees, accent trees and berms along major thoroughfares. To meet this standard, the District will need to install over 1,100 trees at an estimated cost of almost $1 million, including 3-tiered landscaping along roadways not constructed.
- Current estimates for engineering fees are $572,822 to review roadways and infrastructure required by the City.
- Current estimates for building permit fees are $692,123 to review construction plans and perform inspections.
Rockwall ISD has requested the City of Rockwall to waive fees charged to the school district, similar to actions taken by other neighboring municipalities and cities for their school districts.
Projected Ninth-Grade Centers Cost Overage
Inflation, materials, labor and city premium fees have created a projected $26.7 million budget overage for the Ninth-Grade Centers. District leadership reviewed the following cost mitigation efforts thus far:
- Negotiated lower consultant fees – ex. architect now 4.9% typically 6.0%
- Multiple Guaranteed Maximum Prices – lock in pricing and helps with the schedule
- Variance requests to the City – reduction of landscaping requirements
- Reduced infrastructure requests to City – roadways, water, sewer
- Foundation system adjustments – void crawlspace
- Roofing system adjustments – more schedule friendly
- Sizing of storm shelter – sized for the first phase of building
- Considering bid alternates – tennis, bleachers, lighting, turf, etc.
- Reduction of project scope – tennis building, tennis courts, fencing, etc.
Options Moving Forward
Aside from the Ninth-Grade Centers, other major construction projects still to be completed in the 2021 bond are a new fourth middle school, a replacement school for Rochell Elementary School, 6th-grade additions to Cain and Williams Middle Schools, major renovation and a 6th-grade addition for Utley Middle School and additional gymnasiums for Rockwall High School and Rockwall-Heath High School. To make up the Ninth-Grade Centers’ deficit, the District presented the following potential options moving forward in the bond program:
- Utilize previous bond savings of $10,500,000, and
- Bond prioritization for future projects:
- Phase 1 (auxiliary building items) = $5,000,000
- Phase 2 (small athletic equipment) = $1,600,000
o Phase 3 (elementary classroom painting) = $2,400,000
- Total possible reductions = $19,500,000
“The current economic situation is difficult. Our focus remains on providing more classrooms for students. The bottom line is that our students need these facilities to address the enrollment growth we face every year and will continue to face with approval of new housing developments,” said Mrs. Amy Hilton, Board of Trustees Vice-President and member of the Board Finance Committee.
The Board took no action during the October 10 Special Session meeting.
Submitted press release by Rockwall ISD.
Our print edition delivers free to ~17,500 homes and businesses throughout Rockwall County, TX. Click image to view. 
To share your good news and events, email editor@BlueRibbonNews.com.
Subscribe to our email newsletter here.
Advertising: 214-342-8000 or advertising@BlueRibbonNews.com.
BRN Media is a multi-platform, full-service creative agency offering advertising and marketing services, social media management, and website development throughout Rockwall County and the Dallas area.
Highlights from last night’s Rockwall ISD Board of Trustees Special Session added by Editor on
View all posts by Editor →