Pioneer and SHS construction updates

Since Pioneer High School opened last year, the district has battled rain and a lawsuit, both of which played a part in construction delays.

At the first board meeting of the new school year, Mark Dougherty, director of maintenance, gave updates on Pioneer’s baseball and practice football fields, the agricultural facility and Sharyland High School’s gym annex.

The two fields were being worked on two weeks ago but due to rain days, work had to be delayed. Dougherty says that sod will probably be laid out within the next two weeks. The sprinkler system for the football field is not expected to be finished for about another three weeks.

Board President Ricky Longoria stated that the money for these projects is not coming out of district funds, but the contractor’s retainage fee.

Texas Descon filed a lawsuit against Sharyland Independent School District in March, alleging breach of contract. According to court documents, Texas Descon claimed the district owed Texas Descon more than $1 million on the $41 million construction project. The board has since released $500,000 to the general contractor.

Meanwhile, the farm agriculture facility is getting a second driveway, which was in the original plan. Once the driveway is complete, a fence will be placed around the perimeter. Parents of students in the agricultural programs will get card access to the electric gate that has been put in place.

The facility has been a long-discussed board issue since last year, but it was finally given substantial completion in May.

Also, the new rubberized floor for Sharyland High School’s gym annex has an expected completion date of Sept. 8.