Texas school district selects LAN as program manager for $285 million bond program

Houston — The Sheldon Independent School District selected Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN) as the program manager for its $285 million bond program. The bond program is the largest in the district’s history.

Sheldon ISD is considered one of the fastest-growing districts in Texas. According to a June 2014 demographic study, district enrollment was projected to be around 8,300 by 2015. The district, which grew by seven percent in 2015, exceeded that projection with more than 8,500 students enrolling. By 2023, the projected student enrollment is expected to surpass 11,000. To accommodate this rapid growth, voters approved the passing of the 2016 Sheldon ISD bond measure last month with nearly 70 percent of the vote.

The bond package will include funds for a number of projects, including:

• New Construction: A new high school in place of the current C.E. King High School, a new elementary school (Elementary #6) and security improvements. The C.E. King High School campus will be repurposed for other District uses.
• Additions and Renovations: Renovations to the existing middle schools, extended parent pickup lanes at the Early Childhood Academies (ECAs), extended student loading/unloading canopies at ECAs, and new buses.
• Replacements and Upgrades: District-wide energy management upgrades including roof replacements, LED lighting retrofits and HVAC upgrades, as well as playground upgrades at ECAs and elementary schools
• Athletic Facilities: New athletic facilities, resurfacing of tennis courts and the expansion of the King Middle School field house
• District-Wide Technology Improvements

LAN, which assisted Sheldon ISD with pre-bond services including the communication campaign for the $285 million bond package, will provide comprehensive program management services including design review, construction procurement and administration, scheduling and budgeting services, among others.

“We are looking forward to working with Sheldon ISD to implement a program that will meet the district’s needs for the next 50 to 75 years,” said JP Grom, AIA, LAN’s vice president and team leader. “The program will provide Sheldon’s students the environment and infrastructure needed to succeed in the 21st century.”

Construction and renovation of the schools will be completed in phases with the first project ready by 2019.