Throughout 2024, American Constructors proudly partnered with Bastrop ISD on a variety of impactful projects aimed at enhancing the district’s schools and facilities. From campus additions and renovations to the construction of state-of-the-art athletic fields, these efforts reflect our commitment to supporting education and the community.
Some projects were a continuation of projects that kicked off in 2023, while others broke new ground this year. Each represents a significant step toward shaping the future for the district.
To dive deeper, we caught up with Project Manager Josh Mayfield for an insider’s perspective on the progress, challenges, and meaningful moments of American Constructors’ work this year with Bastrop ISD.
AC: What are all the projects American Constructors worked on for Bastrop ISD this year?
Josh: This year, we worked on many projects across the district. We completed admin office renovations at Bastrop and Cedar Creek Intermediates in March. Over the summer, we began a major renovation to build new tracks and athletic fields, competition gyms, science classrooms, and fine arts wings at the intermediate schools to transition them to middle schools. These projects are set to complete in 2026.
We also wrapped up admin and corridor renovations at both middle schools and five elementaries. Later in the year, we broke ground on Elementary #9 and completed significant updates at Bastrop High School, including a new fieldhouse, track, and turf for the baseball field. Lastly, we reconfigured classroom and admin spaces at Colorado River Collegiate Academy to improve security. There were many moving parts, but it’s been a very productive and rewarding year working with BISD.
AC: Which project stood out to you the most, and what made it significant?
Josh: I’d have to say the high school renovation stands out to me the most. The sheer size and scope of the project made it really unique. We weren’t just making a few changes—we renovated a major part of the campus and added three new sections to the school. The campus remained fully operational during this project, so we had to carefully work around the students and staff, adopting a “leapfrog” approach by keeping blocks of 8–10 classrooms vacant at a time while the work was being done. This meant teachers had to remain flexible and shift from classroom to classroom during each phase. We worked closely with the principal and campus staff to keep everything running smoothly during this process.
AC: What were some of the biggest challenges your team faced, and what strategies did you use to overcome them?
Josh: During the high school renovation, one of the biggest challenges was addressing the moisture issues under the slab and flooring. This is an older campus that had dealt with moisture vapor transmission issues in the existing flooring for some time. We had to grind down about 100,000 square feet of concrete to properly prep and level the surface, then applied a moisture mitigation product before installing new flooring. To ensure long-term durability, we ran extensive tests early on to help guide our approach and worked with the manufacturer to secure an extended warranty for the school. With proper planning, we were able to factor this into the budget and overall project timeline.
AC: What has been the most meaningful aspect of partnering with Bastrop ISD on these projects?
Josh: For me, it’s personal—I’ve lived in Bastrop for 14 years along with many other American Constructors team members, so we all feel really connected to this community. Over the course of these projects, we’ve built great relationships with the district’s admin staff and principals. We’ve had the privilege of working on nearly all their campuses, which has also deepened those connections. These projects feel like we’re directly giving back to our own community, and that means a lot to us.
AC: How do you see these district improvements shaping the future of the Bastrop community?
Josh: The high school is right in the heart of the old downtown, so it’s always been a big part of the community and holds considerable history for Bastrop. These upgrades are about more than just new buildings; they’re about making sure the schools can keep up with Bastrop’s growth and continue to serve the community well into the future. We're focused on making the campuses not only more functional but also welcoming and safe for the students and staff who rely on them right now. At the end of the day, these improvements are about setting the schools up for future success while staying connected to the current community.
AC: Does American Constructors have any upcoming projects planned with Bastrop ISD?
Josh: The next phase of the high school project is set to kick off in 2025. In the meantime, we’re starting work this month on adding fine arts wings to the middle schools, which should wrap up late next year. We’re also gearing up for the Elementary School #10 project, which is scheduled to break ground in mid-2025. There’s a lot happening, and we’re excited to continue working with Bastrop ISD!