The Courier of Montgomery County reports that the Conroe Board of Trustees is experiencing supply chain and inflation issues on their renovation project for Conroe High School. The Board has voted to put in $10 million more in funding for the project.
CISD approved the guaranteed maximum price of $144,998,625 for Phase 2 of the effort back in February of 2021. The planned work was a component of the district’s bond package in 2019.
According to CISD’s Director of Planning and Construction, Easy Foster, the extra $10 million will be derived from bond savings in 2019. It will not come from the general fund for the district.
During the board’s November 14th meeting, Foster said that there was a near 19% increase for construction costs from 2019 to 2022. From 2022 to 2023 it rose 7% more.
In answer to trustee Misty Odenweller’s question about why the district assumes the expenses, and the construction company does not, Foster said that the construction company, Ellisor, has made an effort to bring down the expenses. However, other situations such as sub-contractors closing down, has forced getting new sub-contractors at higher prices. He also said there were contingency funds for the project, but it was not possible to predict the higher prices.
Foster said he and Ellisor “felt comfortable with the $10 million.” He also said an effort will be made to keep track of the project during the next two years.
