Program Management for Texas School Bond Projects

Helping Texas school districts deliver bond programs on time, on budget, and with complete accountability.

Why

Friends Consulting Group?

Friends Consulting Group serves as a trusted program manager and taxpayer advocate for school districts across Texas. From post-bond planning through construction completion, our team works as an extension of district leadership to ensure projects stay on schedule, budgets remain intact, and every dollar is properly accounted for.

District leaders are educators first. Managing large construction programs, contractors, financial reporting, and complex bond compliance requirements can quickly become overwhelming. FCG provides experienced operational guidance so superintendents and boards can focus on students while we manage the process.

“Friends Consulting Group has been an invaluable partner in managing our district’s bond projects… Their support has been critical in keeping our projects on budget, on schedule, and in compliance with arbitrage requirements.”

Jaime Clark
Superintendent, Henrietta ISD

What Program Management Means for School Districts

Friends Consulting Group acts as the district’s representative and taxpayer advocate, ensuring consultants, architects, contractors, and vendors deliver on their commitments. Our team operates alongside district staff to oversee planning, budgeting, procurement, construction, and reporting.

Typical responsibilities include:

  • Managing the bond program from planning through completion

  • Protecting taxpayer investments through oversight and accountability

  • Ensuring projects stay on schedule and within budget

  • Coordinating architects, contractors, financial advisors, and district staff

  • Providing regular reporting to superintendents and boards

We serve as a quiet guide on the side, helping districts make confident operational decisions and avoid costly mistakes.

Our Role as Your District’s Advocate

School districts are often the largest employer and largest organization in their community, yet leaders are trained primarily as educators. FCG exists to help school leaders navigate operational challenges with confidence by providing experienced guidance in areas like facilities planning, finance, and construction oversight.

Our Program Management Services

  • Bond Sale Planning & Financial Coordination

    After a successful bond election, FCG works with district leadership, financial advisors, architects, and contractors to develop a construction timeline and cash flow plan that determines the timing of bond sales and ensures projects remain aligned with planned tax rates.

  • Credit Rating & Bond Underwriter Coordination

    Our team helps prepare and facilitate meetings with rating agencies such as Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s and assists in selecting and managing bond underwriters to help districts secure favorable interest rates and protect taxpayer savings.

  • Planning & Construction Liaison

    FCG serves as the owner’s representative throughout the planning, design, procurement, construction, and closeout phases. We coordinate with architects, contractors, and local municipalities to ensure projects meet district expectations for quality, function, schedule, and budget.

  • Land Acquisition

    If land procurement is required, founding partner Scott Niven, a licensed Texas Realtor, assists districts in identifying suitable sites, evaluating educational appropriateness, negotiating purchases, and navigating closing.

  • Construction Delivery Strategy

    Selecting the right construction delivery method is critical for maximizing value. FCG helps districts evaluate options and often recommends approaches such as CMAR when appropriate to improve cost accuracy and contractor accountability.

  • Contractor Selection & Bidding

    We assist districts and architects in vetting contractors and facilitating the bidding process to ensure the right partners are selected and that projects begin with realistic timelines for materials and labor availability.

  • Construction Oversight

    During construction, FCG provides hands-on oversight to keep projects on schedule and within budget. The team leads regular meetings with architects and contractors, reviews project scope and change requests, evaluates monthly pay applications before payment, and coordinates FF&E schedules to support timely project completion.

  • Change Management & Cost Control

    Through proactive planning and review of construction documents, FCG minimizes change orders and ensures contingency funds are used responsibly when necessary.

  • Post Construction Closeout

    After construction, our team helps collect as-built plans, catalog warranties, coordinate final move-ins, and facilitate warranty work as needed.

  • Monthly Reporting & Board Updates

    Throughout the bond program, FCG provides detailed monthly reports and presentations to keep superintendents and boards fully informed.

Texas School District Bond Program Management Services

Why Districts Choose Friends Consulting Group:

• Decades of combined school operations experience

• Over $1 billion in school construction oversight experience

• CPA-level financial oversight and bond accounting expertise

• Deep understanding of Texas public school operations

• Trusted advocate protecting district and taxpayer interests

The FCG team brings firsthand experience in school finance, facilities planning, construction management, and district leadership.

Our Program Management Skills in Action

Need help managing a bond program or facilities project?

Friends Consulting Group partners with school districts across Texas to provide trusted guidance through complex operational challenges.

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