Brittany Kelley
KYLE — The Hays CISD Board of Trustees approved money allocation for High School #4’s utility and road construction agreement at its Dec. 8 meeting.
Max Cleaver, chief operations officer, clarified that the purpose of the item, which consists of an offsite infrastructure and utility joint development agreement, cost allocation and escrow agreement, is to get approval for a dollar amount prior to the superintendent negotiating the final contract.
The high school, which will be located off of Turnersville Road in Buda, was approved by voters for a $396,063,095 bond in May 2025.
“This is for the utilities and roads that are going to serve High School #4,” said Cleaver. “Offsite facilities — things that are not on the construction site that are coming from other places to get to us— those would be coming out of those infrastructure and fees [budget for the high school].”
He explained that the district is going to be responsible for approximately 11.4% of the total water infrastructure and 56% of the road infrastructure.
The water, Cleaver continued, will be accessing the future high school from Turner’s Crossing and totals $28,568,000, of which Hays CISD will pay an estimated $3.2 million to construct a portion of the line.
According to the director, there will eventually be a water town onsite, as well, at a later date. This will benefit not only the school, but the Sunfield neighborhood and the city of Austin.
Because of this, Sunfield will construct the remaining water lines and pay $25 million, while the city of Austin pays $6.153 million.
Regarding the roads, the district will pay around $3.5 million for extensions and 100% of the turn lane for the high school and a traffic signal.
“I feel like I remember we knew we were going to be in for some infrastructure costs on this one,” said trustee Vanessa Petrea. “In terms of infrastructure, it feels pretty reasonable, knowing what they could cost.”
Petrea also clarified that this is not the first time the district has had to build infrastructure, if it is not available. It was needed with Ramage Elementary School, too, said Cleaver.
“The road is the biggest thing. It’s always been my biggest concern with this site, just making sure that that road is done because Turnersville [Road] is not sufficient for high school traffic as is,” said trustee Geoff Seibel. “But it looks like we’re in better shape getting this.”
Cleaver added that the district is working on alignments and rights of way for a deceleration lane for both directions on Turnersville Road. The road is also planned to have two lanes with a center aisle and sidewalks to be walkable for students coming from the neighborhood.
Trustee Courtney Runkle inquired about the traffic light, as the district did not have to provide one before, but Cleaver stated that it comes after a traffic impact study was done. Instead of waiting months for one when it is needed, the district is trying to be prepared prior to the school opening.
“So, we’re approving $7.3 [million] tonight. We have $10.2 million budgeted, so it leaves us $2.9 million remaining in infrastructure fees. Is that sufficient for the remaining items that may come under that line item,” asked trustee Geoff Seibel.
Cleaver said that it will be close, but that there is a $10 million contingency in the project, if needed.
The item passed 4-0. Trustees Raul Vela Jr, Byron Severance and Esperanza Orosco were not in attendance.
The Hays CISD Board of Trustees will meet next at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 20, 2026.
