New Mercer elementary: contractors report steady progress; small ground depression under inspection

District construction staff told the board the new elementary school project is advancing with footings, foundations and underground utilities completed in key areas, but contractors reported a ground depression near the new access drive that is under investigation.

Presenters said contractors have formed foundations and footings for administration and cafeteria areas, poured about 170 cubic yards of concrete into those areas this week, and continued electrical and plumbing work in the gym and cafeteria. Steel work and decking for the storm shelter were reported underway, and roof truss work is expected soon. The project team said more than 50 construction workers are typically on site each day.

The district also reported progress on parking‑lot base rock and underground storm retention work. Contractors said contractors expect to proceed from the right to the left as masonry and decking progress and to begin parking and storm retention installations within 30 days, weather permitting.

Board members were told of a new ground depression at the edge of the planned drive near bus parking. Presenters said the site has been turned over to a third‑party special inspector; the district has not classified the feature as a sinkhole and said additional excavation and inspection are required to determine whether the depression is caused by washed‑out loose fill or by deeper geologic conditions. The district said the first sinkhole identified earlier in the project was already addressed.

District staff said they will continue to monitor the site and coordinate with the special inspector before specifying remedial work, if any, and that much of the visible equipment and temporary staging on the site will be removed as underground work completes.