Brenham ISD is continuing to move forward with implementation of the voter-approved 2025 Bond Program.
At the July 20 Board of Trustees meeting, Rice & Gardner Consultants presented their second regular monthly Bond Program progress report. The update outlined work completed during the program team’s first several weeks, early project activity, and the steps being taken to prepare the district’s larger facility projects for successful implementation.
Although much of the current work is occurring before major construction begins, this stage is critical. District staff, Rice & Gardner, and the architectural team are verifying facility conditions, reviewing the original project list, developing more detailed scopes, coordinating professional consultants, and planning procurement and sequencing work around the school calendar.
This process helps the district make informed decisions, reduce avoidable changes, and use voter-approved funds responsibly.
This Month’s Progress
Campus Reviews and Scope Validation
Rice & Gardner team members have completed campus walks with Brenham ISD Maintenance staff to review the district’s original list of facility needs and gather additional information.
These visits allow the team to:
- Verify existing conditions.
- Document project areas with photographs and field information.
- Identify needs that have become more urgent.
- Determine when additional testing or professional evaluation is required.
- Group related work for more efficient planning and procurement.
- Begin developing realistic project scopes, schedules, and cost information.
The original facility list provided the starting point. The current validation process is developing the detailed information needed to move individual projects forward responsibly.
Architectural and Engineering Coordination
Brenham ISD has engaged Parkhill as the primary architect for the initial phase of Bond Program work.
Parkhill is coordinating the professional consultants needed to support the district’s projects, including mechanical, electrical, plumbing and roofing expertise. The district, Rice & Gardner and Parkhill are establishing regular coordination meetings to review project scopes, decisions, schedules and next steps.
GLS remains part of the district’s Board-approved architectural pool and may be considered for future assignments as program needs develop.
Permitting and Community Coordination
The project team has begun coordinating with local permitting officials to provide early notice of upcoming work and establish clear points of contact.
Early coordination is important because permitting, inspections, utilities, infrastructure, and local requirements can affect project design and construction schedules. Establishing these working relationships now will support more efficient project delivery later.
The district will continue coordinating with city and county leadership as appropriate, so facility planning can account for community growth, infrastructure and other local considerations.
Active Project Update: Krause Elementary HVAC
An air-handling unit serving the Krause Elementary gym and cafeteria experienced a significant equipment failure.
Because these spaces must be operational for the start of school, the district and Rice & Gardner treated the issue as an urgent repair. The team gathered multiple prices, evaluated the available procurement options, and authorized a BuyBoard vendor to order the necessary parts.
The district also approved expedited delivery to provide additional time for installation and testing before students return.
The current goal is to restore the unit before the beginning of school. The project team will continue monitoring delivery, installation, and startup.
This equipment was included on the district’s original facility-needs list. The failure illustrates why continued monitoring and timely project coordination are important as the district works through a large list of aging systems and facility needs.
Active Project Update: Krause Flooring Evaluation
During campus reviews, the team also evaluated flooring concerns in the Krause gym and cafeteria.
Testing and field investigation identified conditions that require additional planning, including moisture within the concrete slab and flooring materials that must be managed through the appropriate environmental procedures.
The existing flooring remains safe for students and staff while it is properly covered and maintained. District Maintenance will continue making temporary repairs where needed.
Rather than rush permanent work immediately before school begins, the project team is evaluating the appropriate flooring system, moisture-mitigation process, environmental requirements, and construction schedule.
The current planning approach is to coordinate removal and preparation work during a school break and complete flooring installation during a later break, reducing disruption to students and allowing the work to be completed correctly.
The architectural team will assist in evaluating available flooring and concrete-finish options before a final recommendation is made.
This is an example of why project schedules may change as testing provides new information. Adjusting the plan is not a lack of progress. It is part of completing the work responsibly.
Why Planning and Validation Matter
Construction projects do not move directly from voter approval to installation.
Before work begins, the district and its professional partners must:
- Confirm existing facility conditions.
- Determine whether equipment should be repaired or replaced.
- Complete environmental or structural testing when necessary.
- Coordinate architects, engineers, and consultants.
- Develop the scope of work.
- Estimate and reconcile project costs.
- Follow state purchasing and procurement requirements.
- Coordinate permitting and inspections.
- Sequence work around students, staff and school operations.
- Determine whether projects can be combined for better value.
- Evaluate the long-term impact of short-term repairs.
Some projects will move quickly. Others will require additional design, testing, bidding or community discussion. Brenham ISD will continue sharing those decisions and explaining why project plans may evolve.
Financial Stewardship Update
At the July 20 meeting, the Board set a proposed 2026 Interest and Sinking tax rate of $0.08 per $100 of property valuation.
The Interest and Sinking rate is the portion of the district tax rate used to repay voter-approved debt. The proposed rate remains unchanged and continues to align with the district’s commitment that the 2025 Bond Program would not require an increase to the I&S tax rate.
The Board will consider the final tax rate as part of the district’s budget and tax-rate adoption process in August.
As projects move forward, Brenham ISD and Rice & Gardner will continue reviewing scope, schedules and costs to help protect voter-approved funds and provide the best long-term value possible.
What Happens Next
During the next phase of work, the district and project team will continue:
- Coordinating with Parkhill and the required professional consultants.
- Reviewing and refining project scopes.
- Evaluating roofing, HVAC, and other major facility systems.
- Developing updated project budgets and schedules.
- Monitoring the Krause HVAC repair.
- Finalizing the Krause flooring recommendation and schedule.
- Coordinating with local permitting officials.
- Identifying projects that can move into design or procurement.
- Determining the most responsible sequence for larger projects.
- Providing another Bond Program update to the Board.
Project information will continue to be updated as scopes, schedules, and costs are confirmed.