The school board voted to approve the lowest bid to install infrastructure for the Lancer Run subdivision, authorizing up to $522,008 to begin roads and utilities for the district's student-built housing project. The board moved and seconded the measure and members voted in favor.The decision lets district staff award the construction contract so work can start this fall with the goal of completing site infrastructure by spring, allowing a house build next year.
The item matters because the project is intended both to produce affordable lots and to provide multi-year, hands-on construction experience for students in career-technical programs. Board members and staff said the approach of buying land and completing infrastructure is meant to lower per-lot development cost versus acquiring lots each year.
Board discussion focused on cost, timing and the future mix of units. Staff described the approved contract as the lowest responsive bid and noted that some bidders did not provide bid bonds. District staff recommended proceeding so students can gain construction experience and the program can re‑capture development costs when lots and structures are sold.
Key financial and schedule details offered at the meeting: the selected bid was $522,008; the district previously purchased the Lancer Run land for about $500,000 and has allocated roughly $338,000 of that purchase toward this project; estimated development cost per lot under the current plan was described as about $58,000, rising to roughly $66,500 per lot if the board and committee opt to replace a planned fourplex with single-family homes. Staff told the board the district plans to start site work around Sept. 1 and finish by spring, so a house could be built on the serviced lot next year.
Board members asked about erosion and runoff controls during construction and were told standard sediment-control measures and a stormwater plan would be required prior to major earthwork. The board also discussed the possibility of reducing the number of fourplexes in favor of single-family homes; staff said that would require a separate city review process for the altered plan and could delay portions of the project but would not necessarily block the road and utility work already approved.
The board also directed staff to work with the district's Construction Advisory Committee to evaluate whether to proceed with the current plan (including multiple fourplexes) or modify the mix to add more single-family homes; the committee is expected to meet in mid-to-late September. Staff said the student-built home account will fund the infrastructure and that proceeds from future lot and house sales are expected to replenish that account.
The motion to accept the bid was approved by voice vote with all members present voting in favor. Staff and board members said they will return to the board if the plan changes in a way that requires zoning or council approvals.