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—reaching a pace that’s methodical, measurable, and unmistakably intentional.
At this month’s Board of Trustees meeting, Project Directors from PROCEDEO and E4 Contracting delivered updates that sounded less like “construction chatter” and more like strategic check-ins. 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.
“We’re not just reacting to delays—we’re building a system that anticipates them,” said Dr. Marla Sheppard, Longview ISD Superintendent. “That’s the difference between managing a project and leading one.”
Big Picture: Design & Development on Five Key Campuses
Across five major campus upgrades—Early Childhood Learning Center, Transportation Center, Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility, Career & Technology Education Center, and the Natatorium—Longview ISD’s approach has emphasized one recurring theme: coordination without compromise.
Each project has reached a new checkpoint in recent weeks:
- The Early Childhood Learning Center and Transportation Center began the Schematic Design Review Phase in early April. Preliminary estimated costs of construction were submitted this week from Jackson Construction for both projects.
- The CTE Center and Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility both completed 50% construction documents, and have already moved on to 75% design stages.
- The Natatorium, the most ambitious project in the package, began the Schematic Design Review Phase in early April. A preliminary estimated cost of construction was submitted last week from The DLR Group and a deep value engineering process has begun to bring its cost closer to the original $33.9 million allocation.
“Every schematic is getting a full-body scan,” said Mr. 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.”
In fact, multiple square-footage discrepancies were identified and corrected in early design rounds—proof, Miller says, that a layered review process works. And more importantly, that it’s respected.
Early Wins: Under Budget, Ahead of the Clock
Two projects already show financial discipline that even skeptics may find difficult to ignore. The CTE Addition came in slightly under budget, while the Multi-Purpose Indoor Facility is trending slightly under budget based on the current Design Development/50% Contract Documents Drawings’ estimate.
“It’s not luck,” said Mr. 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,” added Dr. Sheppard. “It means we’ve built in the breathing room that keeps projects healthy at every phase.”
Natatorium: Strategic Design, Thoughtful Refinement
Among the most anticipated projects in the bond package, the new Natatorium has undergone one of the most thorough design exercises to date—by design.
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. 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,” said Dr. Sheppard. “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.”
In response, Longview ISD convened a multi-agency working group—including PROCEDEO, CDI Construction, DLR Group, and Johnson & Pace—to identify value engineering opportunities that could reduce costs without sacrificing core function.
Some of the adjustments now being considered:
- Scaling back high-end architectural features while preserving instructional and competition standards
- Evaluating pool specifications to align with both 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.”
Construction in Motion: Lights, Fences, and Footbridges
While the design-heavy projects draw the most attention, several initiatives are already out of the ground.
Perimeter fencing at Longview High School is roughly 40% complete and on schedule for summer completion.
Lobo Stadium lighting upgrades are set for the week of April 21, with soccer field lighting the following week.
The Coliseum lighting project will begin after graduation ceremonies conclude in May.
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
Underneath the concrete and rebar, a parallel infrastructure effort is underway. PROCEDEO is integrating Procore’s project management system with Longview ISD’s Skyward financial software, enabling live budget tracking that will be reflected on the publicly accessible Bond 2024 website.
“That means any Longview ISD stakeholder—parents, staff, taxpayers—can log on and see where the money’s going,” said Mr. Miller. “It’s not just transparency—it’s self-checking accountability.”
Invoices from PROCEDEO and The DLR Group have already been submitted, routed, and processed by Longview ISD’s internal team, with funds hitting banks this week. Orientation meetings for Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) teams are underway, trade partner outreach events continues with another HUB vendor event scheduled for April 16, and cash flow reports are being filed on a quarterly schedule—next up: June 2.
A System Built for Confidence
No one at Longview ISD is pretending this is easy.
Coordinating nearly a dozen complex bond projects—each with its own set of designs, contractors, and timelines—while navigating inflation, tariffs, and tight labor markets, isn’t for the faint of heart. There are plenty of opportunities for miscommunication, delay, or costly mistakes.
But so far, they haven’t materialized.
Instead, the district is hitting design milestones across five major campuses with precision. Review meetings are happening on schedule. Revisions are being implemented with clarity. Invoices are routed, contracts are tracked, and updated financials are being prepped for public display on a custom-built dashboard.
Construction is already visible across athletic fields and perimeter upgrades. Under-budget estimates for the Multi-Purpose Facility and the CTE Center are the result of intentional planning, not coincidence. Even the Natatorium—an ambitious project that could have spiraled—was deliberately designed big first, so it could be right-sized with full awareness and full transparency.
“We're not reacting—we're leading,” said Mr. Gipson. “It’s not just about staying on top of things. It’s about staying ahead of them.”
Behind every milestone is a checklist. Behind every checklist is a meeting. And behind every meeting is a philosophy: to build smarter, move faster, and honor every dollar this community voted to entrust to its public schools.
“What we’re building is bigger than buildings,” said Dr. Sheppard. “We’re crafting Longview’s next chapter.”
And if the early pages are any indication, it’s being written with clarity, conviction, and care.