Tag: k12 planning

Saving Time and Money, Despite a Pandemic

Posted on January 27, 2022

It is no secret or surprise that construction projects around the world have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. For many, it has caused delays and budget increases, setbacks that public-school districts typically cannot afford. At Round Rock ISD, however, we delivered over $75 million of work in a period of eight months.

“One of the great successes is that we have been able to accomplish an incredible amount of work in an amount of time that really would not have been possible if we didn’t have the assistance of HPM,” said Melanie Camarena, Round Rock ISD (RRISD) director of construction.

Despite any delays caused by the pandemic, all summer 2020 projects were completed successfully on time. The projects included miscellaneous HVAC, roofing, bleachers, kitchen, and flooring renovations. In addition, there were renovations completed on the PA system, fire alarm system, cafeteria stage, main distribution frame room, a track replacement, and a field turf replacement. Electrical renovations were also completed, including the replacement of panels and main switchgears.

In order to provide a successful completion on these projects, the team helped to redefine and implement schedules, document management, and control protocols. In addition to keeping projects on track, HPM saved the district approximately $1 million in the first year through Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) reviews and pre-audit work.

“From a K-12 district point of view, it’s very difficult to hire a project manager who has the experience to be working in 30 to $50 million dollar or larger projects,” said Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD chief operating officer. “You really need someone with experience and the knowledge base to be able to work with designers and builders who are in that league, so we procured and were very delighted to have HPM join our team here as a partner, not necessarily just as a consultant, but as a partner to augment our staff and work with us directly.”

HPM is currently serving as the program manager for Round Rock Independent School District’s $500+ million capital bond program, which spans 199 individually approved bond projects. Our role includes the three-year management of the planning, design, and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools, modernization of two high schools, and more. This also includes technology, security, and ongoing maintenance. We provide program controls with a dedicated interface with the accounting and financial systems of the district and the development of the master schedule, including all procurement, design, construction, occupancy, and startup milestones.

HPM K-12 Services

HPM’s Anna Sullivan Promoted to Director of Planning & Program Development

Posted on December 7, 2021

One of the most valuable traits our team members can have is the ability to wear different hats and fully immerse themselves in any role and assignment they are given. This versatility is crucial to our business, and we are lucky to have people like Anna Sullivan who boast strong expertise and experience in multiple sectors and markets. Anna’s deep knowledge of not only our business, but of the Texas K-12, higher education and municipal markets, and her natural ability to form meaningful connections with everyone she meets is what has driven her recent promotion to Director of Planning & Program Development.  

In her new position, Anna will focus on growing our Planning Services team, primarily in the Texas K-12 market, leveraging her impressive network in the education and municipal sectors across the state as we continue to grow our footprint in the region. She will also oversee the day-to-day internal operations of the Planning Services group, offering her leadership and guidance to everyone on the team. 

“Anna has played an instrumental part in growing HPM’s Planning Services division within its first year, and has expanded our network immensely across Texas,” said Tracy Richter, HPM’s vice president of planning services. “She seemingly knows everyone in Texas architecture, engineering and construction, and is one of the most knowledgeable people within the market. She is a vital part of the success we had in our inaugural year, and I look forward to the incredible heights we can reach working alongside Anna for years to come!” 

Anna has been at HPM’s Dallas office for five years, having previously served as senior program development manager. Over the past few years, she has worked on a number of projects including Belton Independent School District, Hyatt Place TCU, Round Rock ISD and the U.S. Air Force Academy’s Falcon Stadium. Her work at HPM spans markets across the country, including California, Colorado and Illinois.  

We’ve been named one of the Best Medium-Sized Companies to Work For in America by Great Places to Work multiple years running. Interested in joining our team? Learn more by clicking the button below.

Careers at HPM

HPM Selected as Program Manager for Manor Independent School District’s Capital Projects

Posted on October 20, 2021

We are proud to announce that Manor Independent School District (Manor ISD) has selected HPM to serve as program manager for its capital and facility-based projects. Representing $174 million in new development, these enhancements are the result of a $280 million school bond program approved by voters in Manor, Texas, in November 2019.

HPM will work alongside Manor ISD to provide project management and preconstruction services while ensuring schedule and budget compliance over the next three years. This includes several new classrooms, transportation, and multipurpose facilities.

Ellis

“Manor has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, underscoring the need for improved educational infrastructure that can support a student body expected to exceed 12,000 students within the next few years,” said Greg Ellis, HPM’s Vice President of Program Development. “We look forward to seeing firsthand the positive impact that this investment will have on the community.”

Redbud Elementary- Round Rock ISD

The partnership is a continuation of HPM’s growth strategy in Central Texas, where it has already built an extensive program management portfolio for K-12 districts including Round Rock Independent School District, Belton Independent School District and Austin Independent School District. HPM’s success is largely attributed to the firm’s full range of services uniquely tailored to meet the demographic and socioeconomic needs of every community it serves.

McSween

“Our work is not a one-size-fits-all approach, and HPM is well known for the ability to cater our services to the specific needs of each school district we partner with,” said Derek McSween, Senior Program Development Manager at HPM. “HPM has the expertise to understand the nuances and challenges that come with working in K-12 facility planning and bond implementation, especially as the coronavirus continues to impact regulations. Our team is pleased to play a part in Manor ISD’s growth story by ensuring that its scholars are provided the highest quality academic and recreational facilities possible.”

Greater Austin is one of the fastest-growing major metropolitan areas in the U.S., having increased 34% in population size since 2010 and an impressive 3% in the last year alone. The population of Manor, located just 12 miles northeast of Austin, has grown by more than 160% since 2010, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

“We are grateful to the Manor ISD community for voting to pass the 2019 bond. As we continue to put scholars first, these new state-of-the-art educational facilities will address equity gaps, overcrowding and prepare for the continued population growth,” said Dr. Andre D. Spencer, Manor ISD Superintendent of Schools. “Most importantly, Manor ISD scholars are more than deserving of quality facilities that will enhance their learning environment. We are excited to work alongside HPM for this effort. HPM is truly a remarkable project management partner. It would be almost impossible to complete $280M worth of bond projects without their expertise and dedication to excellence in Manor ISD.”

HPM K-12 Services

The Art and Science of K-12 Facilities Master Planning

Posted on September 23, 2021

It is often expected that the process will be “data-driven” when a Board of Trustees begins facilities master planning. This request immediately raises two questions. First, what data should be used to make informed facilities decisions? And secondly, how should the data be combined to ensure that all facilities’ needs are met?

Earlier this year, HPM’s VP of Planning Services Tracy Richter sat down (virtually) with Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD’s Chief Operating Officer, as part of our HPM Talks webinar series. HPM currently serves as the program manager for Round Rock Independent School District’s $500+ million capital bond program, providing tangible cost savings and advice built upon a strong foundation of trust. HPM’s role with the school district includes the three-year management of the planning, design and construction of several large projects, including a new elementary school, a new aquatics practice center, expansion of existing schools, modernization of two high schools and more.

Terry Worcester

Their discussion aimed to answer the two questions above, and detailed how enrollment/demographics, educational framework, facility conditions and financial data form the four-legged stool of facilities planning for K-12 school districts. Richter and Worcester stressed that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to this process, and every district faces unique challenges and opportunities. Proper prioritization of those challenges and opportunities is key.

This is why facilities planning is both an art and a science, says Worcester – data can uncover trends, but only through knowing the community “like the back of your hand” will you be able to create a quality road map for facilities and infrastructure maintenance and improvement.

Tracy Richter

In the end, student achievement is at the center of it all.

“Any facility planning team’s goal should be to remain visionary and inspired to understand the students it is serving, prioritize needs and ultimately achieve that final goal of student excellence,” says Richter.

HPM has provided program management and facilities planning services to numerous K-12 school districts across the country. In Texas, this includes Round Rock ISD, Belton ISD, Kaufman ISD and Austin ISD, among others. HPM has honed its K-12 strategy in the region, and this success is largely attributed to the firm’s full range of services uniquely tailored to meet the demographic and socioeconomic needs of every community it serves.

To hear more about how the approach of using the science of data and the art of data integration will allow your decision-makers to move forward in a well-informed and transparent process, watch the full interview HERE. If you’re interested in more information on how HPM can partner with your school district to incorporate best practice facilities and operational planning into your program, generating the best possible outcome for students and the community, we’d love to hear from you! And if you plan to attend txEDCON on September 24-26, don’t forget to stop by Booth #847 to meet our team.

Our K-12 Portfolio

How Does HPM Help School Districts Like Yours?

Posted on September 20, 2021

By Anna Sullivan, Senior Program Development Manager

When a capital bond program becomes inevitable due to growth or change, school districts seek out an advocate who will work with them, teach them, and support them through the entire process. HPM is ready to assist and, as K-12 advisors and managers, we’re here to help.

Anna Sullivan

Experienced in the various facets of bond measures and planning for such, we understand the complexities and tasks required. We are here to ensure a successful outcome and allow you and your staff to focus on your day job- educating students.

Program Management is the process of managing several related services and projects. The intent and deliverables are to provide transparency with reporting, consistency with processes and performance, and streamline the outcomes.

HPM works as an extension of your internal staff and can be engaged at any time during the process. Some may believe we should be embedded at the time of a bond measure to execute construction and fiduciary oversight, but this is not necessarily the best solution. HPM can provide more valuable input when we are involved earlier in the process for planning and then throughout the program.

Here is a brief summary of how we can help you and your district:

Facility Assessments

Our team will review and document the physical state of all site work, buildings, and systems, and provide cost estimates for repair or replacement. We will make recommendations of life cycle cost and ADA accessible evaluations, as well as provide capacity and utilization analysis of existing spaces. We will assess the educational adequacy of your facilities and whether or not they align with the district’s visions and goals. In the end, we will provide prioritization of facility needs with cost projections of each.

Long-Range Facility Planning

Strategic planning for facilities and operations is an essential component of short and long-term efficiency models. When engaged in the long-range planning stage, we provide demographic analysis of past and current projections, review and recommend potential boundary changes, and offer recommendations of facility use and improvements.

Preconstruction Services

Before construction begins, HPM’s Preconstruction Services team can develop conceptual budgeting and master program budgets for your district. We provide detailed cost estimates for proposed designs or options and program and project schedules. We will also review all design documents for constructability.

Audit and Contract Services

HPM’s Audit and Contract Services provide you with the expertise you need to be confident you haven’t overpaid on your construction projects. We offer contract language preparation and assistance with procurement methods, including pre-bid documentation and vendor RFQ/P. We complete construction audits, delay claims, and change order audits.

Program Management

HPM is dedicated to leading clients to success by managing all the intricacies of capital bond programs. When we manage a district’s construction program, we provide design management and coordination of all proposed projects in the program. We provide project construction management, coordination, and oversight of all project activities in the program. We also provide post-construction management, coordination, and warranty oversight, including coordination of all of the district’s vendors (ie. technology, AV, furniture, and security).

HPM provides an objective and thorough analysis for the district to make efficiently timed and knowledgeable decisions. The details in the data bring the confidence of transparency and reporting for the school board, administration, and community.

We can bring a flexible team of professionals at any time during the life of your program. HPM consistently delivers savings equal to, or in excess of our cost to you, due to our efficiencies and effectiveness. We are your advocate in every step of the process and will work closely with your architects, engineers, and additional vendors in a relationship-driven environment so that we can develop a win-win solution for your district.

To learn more about our services and our K-12 experience, click the button below.

HPM K-12 Services

HPM Talks Webinar: Emerging Leaders

Posted on July 20, 2021
HPM’s Emerging Leaders Program offers undergraduate students a unique perspective of the planning, design, and construction process through hands-on experience at our projects across the country. Medora Gaddes oversees the program and, as a former HPM co-op herself, recognizes the immense value of experiential learning. During this HPM Talks webinar, Gaddes and co-ops Iriana Molusky and Ben Smith discuss their experience in the program and what they’ve learned along the way.

Webinar Details:

July 29, 2021 at 11AM CST

View the Recording

MEET THE HOST

Medora Gaddes, Assistant Project Manager and Talent Development Coordinator at HPM
Medora is not only an Assistant Project Manager at HPM, but also our Talent Development Coordinator and heads up the Emerging Leaders Program. She herself was a co-op with HPM before becoming a full-time employee. After graduating from Auburn University with a degree in civil engineering, she joined HPM as a project engineer and as a full-time HPM team member in the Huntsville office.
Learn More About Our Emerging Leaders Program

Q&A from Webinar

  1. We heard about precon and program management. What is field coordination like as a co-op?

Ben Smith: During the field rotation as a co-op, a day usually consists of walking with the Field Coordinator (FC) as he makes his rounds around the job site to track the progress of construction and look for items that might need to be addressed with the owner/general contractor. For me, this was a time to pick the brain of the FC and ask as many questions as possible about what is happening on the job site and why/how they are doing it. You can be given miscellaneous tasks that help the FC with his job. For instance, one of the tasks I was given was keeping track of the progression of concrete pours and ceiling paint in a large warehouse. The FC used this information to update the weekly report that was sent to the owner. Other things I experienced were on-site meetings with the general contractor and the owner, taking meeting minutes to send to the HPM team on your specific project, site walks with the general contractor and owner about issues that need resolving, and much more. The field rotation is a good way to get a feel for what a construction site looks like and how things are run during construction both from the Construction Management side and the General Contractor side of things.

2. My major is Architectural Engineering. I have learned that very few companies are hiring ArchEs or understand what ArchE is. Does HPM recruit ArchE’s and how are they used?

Medora Gaddes: HPM is less focused on your specific major and more focused on what you are interested in doing upon graduation. Obviously your major plays a role in that, but I’ll give you an example. I have a bachelor’s in civil engineering and if I wanted to do structural design as a career path, HPM would likely not be the best fit for my interests because HPM does not have engineers designing and stamping drawings. HPM has been a good fit for me since I was interested in the management of design and construction upon graduation. My civil engineering degree has supported my ability to manage, understand, and communicate the civil aspects of design and construction. So ask yourself if you want to work for a company that will utilize the technical skills of architectural engineering and likely the skills you’ve learned in school? Or do you see your architectural engineering degree as a foundation or launching pad into a different career path? I think every engineer can ask themselves this question and it will help you be intentional with your job search. Does HPM hire architectural engineers who are going to use their technical engineering skills? Not at this time. Does HPM hire architectural engineers interested in the management of design and construction? Absolutely!

HPM Talks Webinar: Women in Construction

Posted on March 4, 2021

To coincide with Women in Construction Week, HPM Talks brings together a panel of HPM women leaders to discuss why they pursued careers in the industry, and the successes and challenges they have experienced along the way. The panel will explore the power of mentorships, managing work/life balance, and why having a seat at the table as a woman matters now more than ever.

View the Recording

Panelists:

Questions & Answers from the Webinar

Q:

Hi! I am extremely interested in breaking into the construction field as an APM (to grow into a PM role).  My skill set is not quite what a construction company would be looking for. Do you have any suggestions to help grow the correct skill set?

A:

  • – Medora Gaddes, HPM Project Manager and Talent Development Coordinator: Experience! You likely have the foundational skill set to work in the construction industry so don’t sell yourself short. Qualities like drive, ability to learn and take initiative, communication skills, time management, and attention to detail are the skills the construction industry is looking for. You likely simply need to gain the construction knowledge, and that is something you can gain with experience. All you need is to find that first opportunity and build from there – like a lot of us who are in the field now have done! I would be happy to have a follow-up call to discuss and answer any questions you might have. Send me an email to connect at mgaddes@hpmleadership.com.
  •  
  • – Mary Kathryn Holt, HPM Project Manager: Without knowing your skill set or background, I’m not convinced that you do not already have some qualities that would make you a successful candidate for an APM position. Nevertheless, I would suggest investing your resources, whether that be time or money, into growing some marketable skills that would qualify you for an entry level position. Find a job description for an entry level position and use it almost as a checklist. If there are technical skills required (i.e. BIM or scheduling software) take a class to begin learning. Also, join a professional organization and attend meetings to get exposed to the industry and other professionals. All of this can be done with a minimal financial investment. Lastly, apply for some jobs. Interviewing is a great way to learn more about your strengths and weakness as they relate to the job you want. 

HPM Talks Webinar: The Art and Science of Facilities Master Planning

Posted on February 25, 2021

When a Board of Trustees begins a facilities master plan, the common directive is that the process be “data driven.” But what data should be used to make informed facilities decisions and how should it be combined? Gathering the data is but the first step in a thorough planning process. 

In this webinar, Terry Worcester, Round Rock ISD’s Chief Operating Officer, and HPM’s VP of Planning Services Tracy Richter explored the data elements of a comprehensive facilities planning process. They discussed how the approach of using the science of data and the art of data integration will allow your decision makers to move forward in a well-informed and transparent process.

Speakers:

Terry Worcester
Chief Operating Officer, Round Rock Independent
School District

 

Terry Worcester has more than 30 years of experience in architectural design and currently serves as Round Rock ISD Chief Operating Officer, where he is charged with oversight of construction projects within the $508 million 2018 Bond. Before coming to Round Rock ISD in May 2017, Worcester served in two Arizona school districts, leading and collaborating on several multi-million construction projects and restructuring operations departments for maximum production and efficiency. He worked in the architectural design and construction industry for more than 25 years as a project manager, associate, partner, and director in architectural firms before making the move into education administration.

Tracy Richter
Vice President, Planning Services at HPM

Tracy Richter is Vice President of Planning Services for HPM and has over 25 years of teaching and planning experience. Richter has worked in 26 states and with hundreds of school districts across the country to create educational standards and long-range facilities plans that assist districts in successful facilities improvement programs.

 

 

 

 

Q&A from Webinar

  1. What is your top recommendation for engaging communities today given a global pandemic and competing priorities faced by school districts?

Transparency in facilities decision making may be more important than ever.  Parents, Teachers, and students want to be assured that the building they are walking into is well prepared and conditioned to be a healthy environment.  Although there are limitations to in-person meetings, there are very effective virtual platforms that allow for large and small group and individual interaction.  Platforms like “Thought Exchange” allow for interactive conversation for stakeholders to rate and respond to suggestions and recommendations for facilities processes and actions.  Frequent website updates on school improvement process and actions will be more necessary also.  We understand that there is a sense of some virtual weariness, but we must remain diligent in any and all forms of communications to keep in touch with those who use our facilities and keep them informed of ongoing processes intended to keep our school facilities as safe and as healthy as possible.

  1. We are all familiar with the disruption that COVID has presented over the past year. As we come out of the pandemic, what long-term impacts do you foresee for facilities planning in the post-COVID world?

This is the question most pressing in the minds of many in our industry, how will this impact the use and utilization of our school facilities?  There is no doubt adjustments will be made in future design, system types, and operational processes within schools, but I think one of the biggest impacts will be how we define capacity and utilization of our facilities.  We have talked for several years about alternative approaches to increase capacity and utilization of facilities without ‘bricks and mortar’ solutions and the fact remains that these tools have been out there and utilized by districts all over the country.  We obviously have seen that virtual capabilities have been part of the solution this past year, and we also know that this has some drawbacks, but this isn’t the only solution. 

  •  
  • – Districts should explore time alternatives to capacity such as year-round schedule approaches that offer several schedule tracks thus reducing the utilization of a facility at any given time by 25%-30%, but maintaining the ability to house as many students over a calendar year.
  •  
  • – Secondary schools (primarily high schools), that offer extended time blocks of learning.  Career and Technical schools around the country for years have offered high school students the opportunity to learn in facilities that offer courses over a 12-hour school day, but we are reluctant to keep our high schools open longer than 7-8 hours for classroom instruction.  Certainly there are challenges to this such as staffing resources, maintenance and custodial, athletics, and transportation to name a few, but all of these obstacles can be overcome, if we just think differently about the school day. 

These are just a couple of ideas around how to think differently about how we use schools and how planning has changed in our current times.  I encourage all school communities to have a constructive conversation about the benefits and challenges of the future use of our school facilities and understanding that no one answer is the “right” answer as all communities are unique in who and how they serve.

HPM Talks Webinar: GMP Contract Negotiations: Recognizing and Understanding Potential Conflicts of Interest

Posted on November 11, 2020

In this HPM Talks, Vince Chapman, Vice President of Audit and Contract Services, talks about GMP Contract Negotiations: Recognizing and Understanding Potential Conflicts of Interest.

As an owner, when you are negotiating the terms of a Guaranteed Maximum Price contract with a construction manager or general contractor, you need to be aware of the CM/GC’s conflicts of interest. Vince examined these hidden conflicts and discusses possible solutions to these issues.

This talk focuses on conflicts due to:

  • – CCIP: Contractor Controlled Insurance Programs
  • – SDI: Subcontractor Default Insurance
  • – Self-Performed Work

 

Each of these above items has built in conflicts of interest for a CM/GC being completely transparent about the additional enhanced CM/GC fee potential. Understanding the nature of each and the various situations that may arise is key in allowing the owner to make a good decision and to negotiate the best GMP contract possible.

Download the Presentation
View the Recording

Speakers:

Vince Chapman
Vice President, Audit & Contract Services, HPM

 

Vince provides 100 construction audits a year for industry leaders such as Google, FedEx, Hewlett-Packard, Caesar Entertainment, Sutter Health, Genentech, Southwest Airlines and NVidia. He provides services to virtually all industry segments such as K12 education, healthcare, hospitality, sports, airlines, pharmaceuticals, higher education, oil and gas, high-rise residential and office/retail development. In the last 30 years, Vince has managed thousands of construction audits from Canada to Mexico, the Caribbean, Europe, Africa, and in virtually every major city in the continental USA.

 

HPM’s Tracy Richter on Education Talk Radio

Posted on October 29, 2020

America’s public schools have long been confronted with financial challenges, but the need for proper funding has become even more apparent in the face of a pandemic and an aging infrastructure. HPM’s Vice President of Planning Services Tracy Richter recently joined host Larry Jacobs of Education Talk Radio to discuss the creative solutions he believes are key to solving these issues.

“The federal funding in the last 20 years has been about two percent of infrastructure improvements and that has come from FEMA when the federal government appropriately stood up and said we need to help rebuild,” Richter said. “But I don’t think we need to wait on natural disasters or pandemics to really pay attention to these issues.”

Instead, school districts should be in a constant state of planning, utilizing new program management technologies like Geographic Info Systems and cost-estimating software that strengthens transparency and provides a more accurate funding target.

“Good planning is the first step that must be taken,” Richter said. “When school boards are informed and reach out to their communities and involve them in a transparent way in every step of the data, the communities become informed from a bigger perspective than just ‘hey, we’re growing, our conditions are bad, or we need to consolidate,’ which ends up dominating the conversation instead of a holistic conversation about how one impacts the other.”

A recording of this episode of Education Talk Radio is available below. If you recognize that it’s time to update your facility plan or would like more information on how to do so, let’s work together on a customized approach.

Listen to the Podcast

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