Bond projects at Longview and Pine Tree ISDs are advancing.

Longview ISD voters in May 2024 approved a $456 million bond measure to fund numerous district upgrades and additions.

“With steel in the dirt and design documents flying across desks, Longview ISD’s 2024 bond projects have moved beyond planning and into tangible momentum this spring,” the district said in an April statement.

Project directors from PROCEDEO and E4 Contracting delivered updates to LISD trustees at a spring meeting.

“Schematic design submissions, milestone approvals, and construction procurement timelines are all moving forward in tight formation — even as inflation, tariffs, and complex logistics continue to challenge the industry nationwide,” the district said.

Five major campus projects — Early Childhood Learning Center, Transportation Center, Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility, Career and Technology Education Center and the Natatorium — recently reached a new checkpoint.

The Early Childhood Learning Center and Transportation Center began the schematic design review phase in early April.

Preliminary estimated costs of construction were submitted from Jackson Construction for both projects.

The CTE Center and Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility have moved to 75% design stages, the district said in April.

The Natatorium, which will replace the aquatics facility at the high school, began the schematic design review phase in April.

“A preliminary estimated cost of construction was submitted from The DLR Group, and a deep value engineering process has begun to bring its cost closer to the original $33.9 million allocation,” the district said.

“Every schematic is getting a full-body scan,” said Paul Miller, project director for PROCEDEO. “We’re not passing anything through on autopilot. If it’s too expensive, it’s flagged. If a room is too small, it’s revised.”

Longview ISD reported that the CTE addition came in slightly under budget, while the Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility is trending slightly under budget.

“It’s not luck,” said Mike Gipson, LISD bond construction manager. “It’s asking the hard questions early — and having the right people in the room.”

“Being under budget at this stage of design means we’re not just on track,” said Dr. Marla Sheppard, district superintendent. “It means we’ve built in the breathing room that keeps projects healthy at every phase.”

The Natatorium has undergone one of the most thorough design exercises to date by design, the district said.

“Rather than limit possibilities prematurely, Longview ISD leadership directed architects and engineers to first explore the facility’s full potential, prioritizing programmatic needs, safety, and long-term functionality,” the district said in a statement. “That initial exploration returned a projected cost above the original $33.9 million allocation — an intentional move that gave the district a clear understanding of where trade-offs could and should be made.”

“We wanted to establish the baseline and the ceiling first,” Sheppard said. “Then work backward toward the sweet spot: the best version of this facility that meets our students’ needs while protecting the investment our community made.”

Some of the adjustments now being considered include scaling back high-end architectural features while preserving instructional and competition standards ad evaluating pool specifications to align with UIL standards and energy efficiency goals

“This isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about cutting clutter,” said Mr. Samuel Kington, Chief of Facilities & Operations. “We’re keeping what matters, trimming what doesn’t, and landing where we always intended: the best possible facility for the best possible price.”

In addition, several bond initiatives already are out of the ground.

Perimeter fencing at Longview High School is roughly 40% complete and on schedule for summer completion, the district reported in early April.

Lobo Stadium and soccer field lighting upgrades were set for completion in April, while coliseum lighting was set to be upgraded after May’s graduation.

Footbridge upgrades and parking enhancements tied to the softball complex and natatorium site have already been accounted for in E4’s budget.

“These are the kind of improvements people notice right away,” said Mr. John Erickson, Owner-Operator of E4 Contracting. “And they’re not just cosmetic. We’re talking about safety, access, and energy efficiency.”

That includes the district’s planned solar energy investment, estimated at $12 million, which is being designed by CDI and will span two acres near the new natatorium. Engineers are already mapping solar panel orientation to avoid pine tree shadows and maximize energy yield.

Backstage Systems: Quiet Progress with Big Impact

For updates on Longview ISD’s bond projects, go to w3.lisd.org/bond2024 .

Meanwhile, at Pine Tree ISD, work on $55 million in bond referendum-funded projects is progressing, Superintendent Steve Clugston said.

In November 2023, district voters approved funding for building renovations, building additions, a new high school career and technical education facility and a new baseball field.

All work funded through the 2023 bonds should be finalized by the end of summer 2026, Clugston said.

Work on the baseball field is nearly finished. Landscaping work needs to be completed, and some equipment needs to be installed, Clugston said in mid-June. Some lighting will be replaced at the tennis courts and softball fields during the summer.

Construction of a new band hall at Pine Tree Junior High is roughly 75% complete, Clugston said. The old band hall will become a new weightlifting area, and renovations of it began at the end of the school year.

The old weightlifting room at the junior high is being transformed into a new career and technical education (CTE) facility, and that work is roughly 75% complete, Clugston said.

Work on those projects should be completed by August, Clugston said.

Ground has been broken at the site of the new CTE facility at the high school, Clugston said. The facility will include an automotive repair area, welding simulator and culinary station to help students learn more about career opportunities.

Ground also has been broken for a building addition at Parkway Elementary School, Clugston said. New space there will be used for art, music and special education classes.

“We’re kind of in the early phases of that,” he said. “Every time I feel like we’re getting closer to gaining ground, it rains for five days and puts me behind. Other than the rain slowing us down on those projects, everything’s really going good.”

In summer 2026, the cafeteria at Parkway will be renovated, and some other minor projects will take place, Clugston said.

The renovation and additions allow the district to “get a lot more life out of our buildings,” he said. Building a new school campus is an expensive endeavor, and he said he wants the district to “be good stewards of taxpayer money.”

The changes also allow the district to change older buildings to meet modern needs.

“I’m very pleased with how everything’s working and how everything’s gone,” he said. “I think we’re just going to get to reap the benefits of it over the next 20 years or so.”