A $103.3 million guaranteed maximum price (GMP) tag for the construction of Hays CISD’s third high school was given the go-ahead by district leaders.

The move was done in conjunction with approval of the GMP for construction on Hays CISD’s new elementary school, which was set at $28.7 million. Both items were approved by a 7-0 vote from the board of trustees Tuesday.

Carter Scherff, Hays CISD acting superintendent, said May 15 the district has already opened bids for construction on the two projects, which were approved by voters May 6 as Proposition 1, which totaled $189 million.

Hays CISD, along with Barlett Cocke, the district’s construction manager-at-risk, and Claycomb worked to finalize the GMP for both projects.

Scherff said the GMP for the third high school, located along FM 967 next to Carpenter Hill Elementary, didn’t include furniture and fixtures for the school.

However, he said the district moved to a “more conservatively priced tile.” He added the district didn’t make any changes architecturally that will affect the school.

It also leaves the district with an owner’s contingency of $1.4 million, which is for possible roadwork and any potential changes in construction.

“This is a 25-month project, we’ll hit the ground running June 7 and the plan is to open August 2019,” Scherff said.

Scherff said May 15 he is “comfortable” with the total price of the project to fall within the $122 million proposed to voters.

The GMP for the new elementary school, which is to be built along High Road in east Kyle, came in under the district’s budget for construction.

Hays CISD will also work with Hays County on changes to High Road that will be necessary to accommodate for the influx of traffic.

“This will leave us an ample amount for High Road,” Scherff said.