school construction a local snapshot -...
TRANSCRIPT
A LOCAL SNAPSHOTSchool Construction
S U M M E R B U L L E T I N • J U N E 2 0 1 2
2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
135 Elections
165 Elections
131 Elections
107 Elections • $3,228,447,000
79 Elections • $3,149,603,033
School Bonds that Have Carried in Texas
$6,164,297,085
2012 – TURNING POINT?�� Growth�in�the�Houston�MSA�job�market�has�resulted�in�more�jobs�in�the�area�than�ever�before.
�� Real�estate�inventories�are�going�down.
�� Housing�is�picking�up.
�� Employment�forecast�shows�Construction�Industry�with�an�8%�increase�in�hiring�for�2013�compared�to�2012.
�� Money�supply�is�up.
With�the�tide�starting�to�swing�with�a�growing�Houston�economy,�many�School�Districts�will� have� to� start� talking� and�planning� for� their� next�School�Bond�Program.�This�may�be�a�scary�thought,�but�the�alternative�could�be�worse.�In�these�uncertain�times�districts�are�facing�some�big�unknowns�which�make�the�decision-making�process�even�more�difficult.
�� Outcome�of�School�finance�reform?
�� Fall�Elections?
�� Is�the�growing�Houston�economy�sustainable?
�� Is�the�housing�bubble�really�over?
�� Will�Global�issues�affect�Houston?�Euro�Crisis
�� How�reliable�are�the�Demographic�Projections?
�� What�legislative�changes�are�still�to�come?
�� Can�we�accurately�predict�future�Construction�Cost?
Everything�is�circling�around�one�word�-�“Confidence”�-�in�the�direction�of� our� economy� and� government.� It� is� evident� that� businesses� and�people�are�becoming�more�confident�with�the�Houston�MSA�based�on�the�recent�indicators�illustrated�in�this�Bulletin.�
With�the�turning�of�the�page�to�a�more�vibrant�Houston�MSA,�it�will�take�time�for�School�Districts�to�benefit�from�this�growth.�Businesses�have�to�grow�and�people�have�to�spend�money�for�the�tax�revenues�to�increase�and�filter�to�our�Schools.�
Be�patient�and�start�planning.
TRENDS�� Demographics�are�changing.�(See�PASA�report�page�3)
�� CONSTRUCTION�COSTS�STARTING�TO�INCREASE�with�material�and�fuel�costs�being�the�biggest�drivers.�The�price�increase�ranges�from�a�few�percent�to�double�digits�depending�on�the�trade.
�� Schools�are�still�feeling�the�budget�cuts�to�compound�the�issue.
�� Over�half�the�school�districts�in�Texas�are�involved�in�lawsuits�against�the�State�on�School�Financing.
�� Energy�Efficiency�in�Schools�becoming�a�big�target�for�battling�budget�cuts.�
HOUSTON HOUSING ON THE RISEINDICATORS:
�� Sales�volume�is�up�7.8%�compared�to�last�year,��10th�consecutive�monthly�increase
�� Total�property�sales�are�up�7.4%�from�a�year�ago
�� Foreclosure�sales�are�down�12.8%�year�over�year�
�� 5.6�months�inventory�of�single-family�homes�is�the�lowest�level�since�December�2008�and�compares�favorably�to�the�national�average�of�6.4�months
Source: Houston Area Realtors
Mar 2011 Mar 2012 % Change
West Texas Intermediate Spot Market Price
$93.43 $103.00 10.2%
Henry Hub Natural Gas Price
$4.12 $2.36 -42.7%
Source: Baker Hughes; Energy Information Administration
OIL & NATURAL GAS INDICATORS
$11,148,510,479
79 Elections • $1,599,164,995
May - 44 Elections • $634,810,000
$8,686,683,101
2012 Elementary School Cost DataSquare Foot Size Average Cost/SF
92,000 - 114,000 SF $135.00/SF
$ 2 4 6 7 8 9 1 0 1 1 2 (Billion)
S U M M E R B U L L E T I N • J U N E 2 0 1 2
HOUSTON’S ECONOMY IS GROWING
Houston MSA Mar 2011 YTD Mar 2012 YTD % ChangeConstruction Contracts Source: McGraw-Hill Construction
Residential $1.15 B $1.58 B 37%Non-Residential $944 M $811 M -14%YTD Total $2.01 B $2.4 B 14%
City of Houston Construction PermitsSource: GHP
March YTD 2011 2012 % Change
Residential $230.3 M $354.6 M 54.0%Non-Residential $457.2 M $823.8 M 80.2%YTD Total $687.5 M $1.18 B 71.4%
PMI - Houston Indicators Index Source: Purchasing Managers Index Monthly
Mar 2011 Mar 2012 % Change
Monthly 59.9 59.1 -1.3%YTD Average 58.4 59.4 1.7%The�PMI�is�a�leading�indicator�of�economic�conditions�for�Houston.�An� index� number� below� 50� represents� a� contracting� economy;�readings� above�50� indicate� an� expanding� economy.� The� PMI� has�been�above�50� since�October,�2009�which� indicates� a� continued�expansion�in�Houston’s�economy.
Source: Texas Workforce Commission, March 2012
10
5
0
Houston8.4%
Texas 8.2%
National9.0%
Unemployment RateU.S. Employment Houston MSA Jobs
March
Houston-Baytown-Sugar Land Jobs
Houston Employment ForecastNext 12 Months (April ‘12-March ‘13) vs. Prior 12 Months
Houston MSA Population ForecastsScenario 2000-2007 Migration
S U M M E R B U L L E T I N • J U N E 2 0 1 2
Suburban growth marches forward. For the last five years (which represents the duration of the economic downturn), the Houston area school districts benefiting the most from population growth are all to the west and north (see map bottom right).
Growth Epicenters in the Next 12 MonthsThe� slump� in� the� housing� market� has� already� bottomed� out� in� the�Houston�area,�with�foreclosures�declining�by�19%�since�March�of�last�year,�and�MLS�home�sales�up�8%�from�a�year�ago.�New�home�starts�are�up�26%�this�1st�quarter,�relative�to�the�1st�quarter�last�year.
From� a� demographic� perspective,� the� coming� year� will� see� an�acceleration� of� housing� and� population� growth� in� similar� locations�as� the� past� five� years.� For� example,� to� the� west,� Katy,� Cy-Fair,� and�Lamar�school�districts�will�see�a�slight�rise�in�their�current�housing�and�population�growth� rates.� To� the�north,� the�Klein�and�Conroe� school�districts�should�have�accelerated�growth�this�year�due�to�new�office�hubs�in�The�Woodlands,�and�as�auxiliary�firms�relocate�due�to�ExxonMobil’s�future�office�complex�on�IH-45.��
Baytown’s New Industrial FacilitiesIndustrial� sites� west� of� the� Houston�Ship�Channel�are�built-out�–�allowing�the� massive� industrial� parks� and�other� targeted� locations� nearby� in�West� Chambers� County� to� be� the�sites� for� a� new� ethylene� production�facility� (to� be� completed� by� Conoco�Phillips� in� 2017),� and� for� the� new�ExxonMobil� and� Bayer� Material�Science�expansions,�and�other�added�facilities.��
Impacts of Transportation ImprovementsThe� rapid� construction� of� the� Grand�Parkway� between� IH-10� and� US�290� will� open� up� a� large� number�of� already-planned� residential�developments,� along� with� the� need�for�new�commercial�enterprises.��And,�the� recently� available� TXDOT� funds�for�the�Houston�area�(~$450�million)�will� be� oriented� to� widening�US� 290�(and� other� US� 290� improvements),�and� also� oriented� to� SH� 288� –� the�latter� spawning� further� housing� and�population� growth� outward� --� in�Pearland,�Alvin,�and�perhaps�Angleton.
SCHOOL FINANCE UPDATEMore�than�half�of�the�school�districts�in�Texas,�representing�roughly�3.5�million�students�–�or�75%�of�the�overall�total�–�have�signed�on�to�sue�the�state�over�the�way�it�funds�public�schools.
But�fewer�than�500�districts�haven’t.�Many�of�those�districts,�already�facing�budget�cuts,�say�they�just�don’t�have�the�resources.
Four� of� the� lawsuits� challenge� the� state� on� whether� it� has� given�enough�money� to� schools.�A� fifth� lawsuit�has�also�been� filed,�not�by� school�districts�but�by�a�group�of�parents�who� support� charter�schools.�It�questions�how�the�money�that�the�state�gives�to�schools�is�spent.
Last�week,�a�judge�indicated�that�a�trial�would�probably�begin�in�early�October�and�allowed�the�first� four� lawsuits� filed�by�school�districts�to� be� consolidated� into� one,� according� to� the� Austin� American�Statesman.�Source: Texas Tribune, April 2012
La Marque
ISD
-740
Devers
ISD
37
Dickinson ISD
1,580
Goose
Creek CISD
1,382
Sweeny
ISD
-115
Hardin
ISD
-64
Liberty
ISD
-123
Dayton
ISD
-11
Stafford
MSD
141
Santa Fe
ISD
40
Hempstead
ISD
105
Hull-
Daisetta
ISD
-63
West
Hardin
County CISD
-5
Damon
ISD
32
Texas
City ISD
97
Humble
ISD
4,749
Bay
City ISD
-232
Big Sandy ISD
16
Boling
ISD
71
Aldine
ISD
5,469
Spring ISD
4,258
Brazos ISD
27
Splendora
ISD
109
Katy ISD
11,213
Van
Vleck ISD
-38
Shepherd ISD
91
East
Bernard
ISD
23
Tomball
ISD
2,001
Houston
ISD
130
Galena
Park ISD
586
Klein ISD
4,390
Deer
Park ISD
420
El Campo
ISD
105
Sealy
ISD
89
New
Caney ISD
2,522
La Porte
ISD
-43
Coldspring-
Oakhurst CISD
-17
Wharton
ISD
-198
Cypress-
Fairbanks ISD
15,825
New Waverly ISD
75
Pearland
ISD
2,961
Pasadena
ISD
3,091
Willis
ISD
809
Alief ISD
-286
Spring
Branch ISD
1,527
Conroe ISD
8,204
Brazosport ISD
-624
Barbers
Hill
ISD
871
Crosby
ISD
334
Cleveland
ISD
232
Tarkington
ISD
-77
Huffman
ISD
210
Anahuac
ISD
-224
Royal ISD
200
Huntsville
ISD
23
Friendswood
ISD
75
Sheldon
ISD
1,490
Channelview
ISD
416
North
Forest ISD
-2,019
Richards ISD
0
Clear
Creek ISD
3,681
Livingston ISD
-5
Montgomery
ISD
1,202
Waller
ISD
547
Magnolia
ISD
1,485
Anderson-Shiro
CISD
113
Hitchcock
ISD
310
Fort Bend
ISD
2,435
Columbia-
Brazoria ISD
-104
Danbury
ISD
-50
Alvin
ISD
3,955
Angleton
ISD
-37
Needville ISD
49
Galveston
ISD
-2,008
Lamar
CISD
4,461
Brenham
ISD
-14
Navasota ISD
15
Grimes
San Jacinto
Montgomery
Liberty
WallerHarris
Austin
Chambers
Fort Bend
Wharton
Brazoria
Matagorda
Hardin
5-Year Change: 2006-07 to 2011-12
A b s o l u t e C h a n g e i n S c h o o l D i s t r i c t E n r o l l m e n t
HOUSTON
Source: Texas Education Agency, Public Education Information Management System Division0 10 205 Miles[
CountiesWater Bodies
School Districts<-100-99 - 01 - 500501 - 2,0002,001 - 4,000>4,000
La Marque
ISD
-740
Devers
ISD
37
Dickinson ISD
1,580
Goose
Creek CISD
1,382
Sweeny
ISD
-115
Hardin
ISD
-64
Liberty
ISD
-123
Dayton
ISD
-11
Stafford
MSD
141
Santa Fe
ISD
40
Hempstead
ISD
105
Hull-
Daisetta
ISD
-63
West
Hardin
County CISD
-5
Damon
ISD
32
Texas
City ISD
97
Humble
ISD
4,749
Bay
City ISD
-232
Big Sandy ISD
16
Boling
ISD
71
Aldine
ISD
5,469
Spring ISD
4,258
Brazos ISD
27
Splendora
ISD
109
Katy ISD
11,213
Van
Vleck ISD
-38
Shepherd ISD
91
East
Bernard
ISD
23
Tomball
ISD
2,001
Houston
ISD
130
Galena
Park ISD
586
Klein ISD
4,390
Deer
Park ISD
420
El Campo
ISD
105
Sealy
ISD
89
New
Caney ISD
2,522
La Porte
ISD
-43
Coldspring-
Oakhurst CISD
-17
Wharton
ISD
-198
Cypress-
Fairbanks ISD
15,825
New Waverly ISD
75
Pearland
ISD
2,961
Pasadena
ISD
3,091
Willis
ISD
809
Alief ISD
-286
Spring
Branch ISD
1,527
Conroe ISD
8,204
Brazosport ISD
-624
Barbers
Hill
ISD
871
Crosby
ISD
334
Cleveland
ISD
232
Tarkington
ISD
-77
Huffman
ISD
210
Anahuac
ISD
-224
Royal ISD
200
Huntsville
ISD
23
Friendswood
ISD
75
Sheldon
ISD
1,490
Channelview
ISD
416
North
Forest ISD
-2,019
Richards ISD
0
Clear
Creek ISD
3,681
Livingston ISD
-5
Montgomery
ISD
1,202
Waller
ISD
547
Magnolia
ISD
1,485
Anderson-Shiro
CISD
113
Hitchcock
ISD
310
Fort Bend
ISD
2,435
Columbia-
Brazoria ISD
-104
Danbury
ISD
-50
Alvin
ISD
3,955
Angleton
ISD
-37
Needville ISD
49
Galveston
ISD
-2,008
Lamar
CISD
4,461
Brenham
ISD
-14
Navasota ISD
15
Grimes
San Jacinto
Montgomery
Liberty
WallerHarris
Austin
Chambers
Fort Bend
Wharton
Brazoria
Matagorda
Hardin
5-Year Change: 2006-07 to 2011-12
A b s o l u t e C h a n g e i n S c h o o l D i s t r i c t E n r o l l m e n t
HOUSTON
Source: Texas Education Agency, Public Education Information Management System Division0 10 205 Miles[
CountiesWater Bodies
School Districts<-100-99 - 01 - 500501 - 2,0002,001 - 4,000>4,000
POPULATION AND HOUSING GROWTH GAME CHANGERS – AND GROWTH EPICENTERS IN THE HOUSTON METRO AREABY: DR. PAT GUSEMAN, POPULATION AND SURVEY ANALYSTS
S U M M E R B U L L E T I N • J U N E 2 0 1 2
LightingOne�of�the�biggest�trends�in�new�construction�is�LED�lighting.��LED�has�made�big�advances�over� the�past� few� years� to� the�point�where� LED�site�lighting�and�LED�can�lights�are�a�smart�investment.��Switching�out�lamps�to�high�efficient�florescent�lamps�are�another�low-cost�method�of�saving�energy�that�many�schools�are�employing.
Also,�schools�are�looking�to�bring�more�natural�light�into�the�classroom.��Tubular�daylighting�devices�can�be�used�in�both�new�construction�and�renovation�to�introduce�natural�light.��These�tubular�daylighting�devices�can�be�controlled�and�even�shut�off�when�the�classroom�needs�to�be�darkened�for�presentation.
Geothermal Heating and CoolingAnother� popular� trend� that� can� be� used� for� both� new� schools� and�renovations� is� geothermal� heating� and� cooling.� � This� method� of�“geoexchange”�uses�the�constant�temperature�of�the�Earth�to�heat�and�cool�a�building.� �While�geothermal� requires�an�up-front� investment,�the�system�can�pay�for�itself�via�energy�savings�in�three�to�five�years.��Geothermal�systems�are�simple�and�easy�to�operate.
SummaryKnowing�a�building’s�energy�benchmark�is�the�first�step�to�instituting�an�energy�savings�program.��This�allows�school�personnel�to�set�goals�and�determine�which�changes�in�either�behavior�or�equipment�need�to�be�made�to�meet�the�goals.��Also,�demonstrating�to�staff�that�had�to�give�up�their�personal�coffee�pot�or�wear�a�sweater� in� the�classroom�that�these�actions�are�having�a�positive�affect�is�a�great�way�to�reinforce�and�obtain�‘buy-in’�for�the�low-hanging�fruit�behaviors.
1�American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Advanced Energy Design Guide, 2008.2www.energystar.gov
As� schools� are� squeezed� by� operational� cost-cutting,� many� schools�are� looking� to� save�money�by� reducing�energy�use.� �Not�only� does�reducing�energy�use�save�money�for�school�districts,�it�can�provide�an�opportunity�to�integrate�energy�savings�into�classroom�curriculum.�
BenchmarkingKnowing�how�much�energy�your�school�is�using�(measured�in�kBtu/sf�yr)� is� the�first�step�in�an�energy�savings�program.��The�“average”�for�Houston’s�climate�zone�in�a�school�designed�to�meet�code�is�62�kBtu/sf�yr.��While�there�are�consulting�engineering�firms�that�can�provide�this�analysis,�school�staff�can�utilize�the�Environmental�Protection�Agency’s�ENERGY�STAR��program�and�enter�data�into�the�“Target�Finder.”��This�will�provide�a�snapshot�of�the�school’s�Energy�Use�Index�(EUI)�expressed�in�kBtu/sf�yr.
The�62�kBtu/sf�yr�is�an�“average”�and�new�and�renovated�schools�are�demonstrating�energy�saving�of�50�to�75�percent�less�than�the�average,�which�translates�to�lower�energy�bills.
Low-hanging FruitInstituting�systems�and�controls�to�reduce�energy�use�doesn’t�necessarily�mean�an�investment�in�lots�of�expensive�equipment.��Many�local�school�boards�are�considering�formal�policies�to�reduce�the�use�of�personal�refrigerators,�coffee�pots�and�space�heaters�in�the�classrooms.��While�these�appliances�seem�innocuous�as�far�as�energy�use,�when�multiplied�by�several�classrooms�in�several�schools,�they�can�produce�a�noticeable�increase�in�energy�use.��
Setting�up�computers�on�power�strips�that�can�be�switched�off�at�the�end�of�the�day�is�another�simple�method�of�saving�energy.��Some�schools�are� involving� students� in� “energy”� teams�where� students� ensure� that�classroom�lights�and�computers�are�turned�off�at�the�end�of�the�day.
Controls and Occupancy SensorsMore�districts�are�taking�away�user�space�temperature�adjustments�and�maintaining� complete� control� at� a� central� level.� � The� schools’� have�specific�set�points�for�heating�and�cooling.��Building�occupants�can’t�switch�to�cooling�in�the�winter�or�heating�in�the�summer�to�adjust�room�temperature.
Room�occupancy�sensors�are�being�tied�into�the�building�automation�system�(BAS).��When�a�room�goes�unoccupied�(for�lunch�or�other�school�activity)�during�a�normally�occupied�period,�the�classroom�occupancy�sensor� is� used� to� detect� the� condition� and� the� room� temperature� is�automatically� set�up� two� to� four�degrees.� �When�motion� is�detected�in�the�room,�the�space�temperature�is�set�back�to�its�normal�occupied�temperature.
In�the�past,�IT�departments�have�discouraged�shutting�down�computers�because� they� lose� the� ability� to� remotely� update� software.� � Now,�new� software�exists� that� allows� the�district� to�manage�updates�when�computers�are�being�operated.
TRENDS IN ENERGY SAVINGS IN HOUSTON-AREA SCHOOLSBY: MARK SEIBERT, CMTA CONSULTING ENGINEERS
S U M M E R B U L L E T I N • J U N E 2 0 1 2
KLEIN ISD FACILITIES DEPT. – MAKING A DIFFERENCE IN REDUCING M&O COSTBY: ROBERT ROBERTSON, KLEIN ISDNone�of�us�have�a�crystal�ball�to�predict�the�future,�but�we�are�charged�with�being�good�stewards�of�the�taxpayer�dollars�allocated�to�us�that�carries�with�it�the�responsibility�of�ensuring�that�we�build�new�schools�economically�and�that�we�operate�them�efficiently.�Contrary�to�popular�convention�construction�and�operation�are�not�diametrically�opposed.�The�departments�tasked�with�operating�the�school�once�it�is�completed�must�be�involved�in�the�construction�process�throughout�the�design�and�construction�of�the�school.�That�way�when�the�building�is�turned�over�they�have�an�understanding�of�how�it�should�operate�most�efficiently.�If�the�school�was�constructed�following�CHPS�(Collaborative�for�High�Performing� Schools)� or� LEED� for� Schools� (Leadership� in� Energy� and�Environmental�Design)� there�are�specific�requirements� in� the�types�of�products� to�be�used�to�maintain� the�building.�Knowing�that�going� in�makes�it�much�easier�and�more�likely�that�the�building�is�operated�as�intended.
Klein� ISD� has� built� its� latest� elementary� school� following� CHPS�Guidelines.�Results�from�the�first�four�(4)�months�of�operations�reflect�a�30%�reduction�in�electricity�usage�when�compared�to�its�sister�school�of� the�same�architectural�design.�By�using�condensate�and�rainwater�collection� for� the� irrigation� system� and� low-flow� fixtures� the� school�is� using� half� as�much�water� as� other� elementaries.� All� of� this� has� a�favorable� impact� on� the�General� Fund.� It� should� be� noted� that� this�design�was�a�prototype�that�had�been�built� three�previous�times�and�that�the�mechanical�systems�were�re-designed�for�CHPS�compliance.�The�elementary�school�currently�under�construction�was�designed�from�the�beginning�following�CHPS.
Not�all�efficiencies�are�found�in�construction.�A�valuable�tool�employed�by�KISD�in�the�last�three�(3)�years�has�been�the�Benchmark4Excellence�Study� that� compares� operations� in�maintenance,� custodial,� grounds�and� energy� for� KISD� to� other� districts� in� Texas.� The� data� presented�is� used� to� identify� areas� using� excessive� resources� that� can� then� be�reallocated�to�areas�that�are�in�need�or�returned�to�the�General�Fund.�Through� the�use�of� this�data�KISD�has� reduced�custodial� staffing�by�78� positions� over� the� last� three� years� while� increasing� productivity�through�the�use�of�automatic�floor�machines�and�hands-free�restroom�cleaning� systems.� The� study�has�also�been�used� to� support� requests�for�additional�staffing�and�funds�in�areas�where�needed.�And,�perhaps�most�importantly,�it�is�used�to�recognize�outstanding�performance.
Handbook of Best Practices for Project Close-out to be released Soon!The�success�of�the�previous�three�AGC/CEFPI�joint�task�forces�on�developing�best�practices�handbooks�for�CSP,�CM�at�Risk�and�Hiring�an�Architect,�have�led�to�the�charge�of�the�joint�task�force�to�produce�a�recommended�practices�handbook�focusing�on�successful�project�close-out.�
The�purpose�of�this�handbook�is�to�provide�an�overview�of�best�practices,�provide�tools�and�strategies�for�managing�an�effective�project�close-out�effort.�The�goal�is�to�keep�the�close-out�process�collaborative�and�efficient�to�minimize�the�stress�normally�associated�with�project�close-out,�and�to�reduce�the�amount�of�time�required�to�achieve�final�project�completion.
The�Close-Out�Handbook�is�in�its�final�technical�draft,�and�is�in�the�process�of�being�reviewed�by�the�AGC�and�CEFPI�boards.�Due�to�the�various�local,�regional�and�national�board�schedules,�it�is�anticipated�that�final�board�approval�will�be�reached�sometime�mid-summer.�Once�approved�by�both�boards�for�release,�look�to�either�organizations’�website�for�the�publication�of�the�final�document�this�summer.
u p c o m i n g e v e n t s
CEFPI
AGC
Unit 1 BIM 101: An Introduction to Building Information Modeling (Section III)
Sept. 20
Unit 2 BIM Technology (Section II) June 12/13
Unit 2 BIM Technology (Section III) Oct. 16/17
Unit 3 BIM Contract Negotiation and Allocation (Section II)
July 24
Unit 3 BIM Contract Negotiation and Allocation (Section III)
Nov. 6
Unit 4 BIM Process, Adoption and Integration (Section II)
Aug. 7
Unit 4 BIM Process, Adoption and Integration (Section III)
Dec. 11
CM-BIM Credentialing Exam (Section VI)
June 15
CM-BIM Credentialing Exam (Section IV)
Aug. 24
CM-BIM Credentialing Exam (Section V)
Dec. 14
Board Meeting July 19
Best Practices Meeting Sept. 7
Board Meeting and Chapter Meeting/Facility Tour
Sept. 27