Magnolia ISD to save $2.5 million in construction costs for new junior high school

Magnolia ISD expects to save $2.5 million in construction costs for a new junior high school that is part of the $228 million bond package passed by voters last year.

Trustees approved a guaranteed maximum price of $70.9 million to build Junior High No. 3 across from the Magnolia Event Center during Monday’s school board meeting. The cost was less than originally projected, which district officials attribute to a flattening of the construction market.

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Magnolia school designed to prevent traffic congestion

The school’s design differs slightly from other junior highs in the district, said Denise Meyers, executive director of communications for Magnolia ISD. For example, the parent drop-off location will be large enough to prevent traffic overflow onto FM 1488, Meyers said via email. 

Magnolia Parkway Elementary, which will neighbor the junior high school, sees traffic caused by parents picking up their kids every day, said Magnolia resident Hugh Fullerton. 

Design requirements up cost of Audubon Elementary

The board also approved adding approximately $600,000 to the guaranteed maximum price for the construction of Audubon Elementary, bringing the total maximum price to $34.2 million.

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The increase is due to design changes required by the Audubon architectural review committee, she said. The changes included adding more metals such as rod iron fencing, mechanical screens, and brick pavers at the entrance to the school to coincide with the design of the Audubon community, northeast of Magnolia. 

Despite the increase, Meyers said the project was still $400,000 under budget. The cost listed for the elementary in the district’s bond proposal was $41 million, according to the Magnolia ISD website.

Magnolia schools to add capacity for thousands of students

Construction is underway for the elementary school and Intermediate School No. 3, which is being built near Magnolia Parkway Elementary off of FM 1488. Both projects are also part of the 2022 bond package.

The intermediate and junior high schools are expected to open for the 2025-26 school year. Audubon Elementary is expected to be ready for the 2024-25 school year.

The three schools will add a total of 3,300 seats in the district.