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Superintendent says new high school about 15% complete; funding schedule may delay opening until 2027
Summary
Dr. Bennett updated the board that new high school construction is roughly 15% complete, rain has delayed progress and staggered funding means a 2027 opening is likely unless funds arrive sooner.
Superintendent Dr. Bennett told the board on Sept. 23 that construction of the district's new high school is approximately 15% complete and that the project timeline has been slowed by rain and the district's funding schedule.
Dr. Bennett said a site tour and updates from project staff indicated the project is "about 15% of the way completed" but rain has caused schedule slippage. He said project staff estimated a comparable Polk County high school had been completed in about eight months, but because DeSoto's funding will be distributed over time rather than as a single lump sum, the district now expects an opening in 2027 rather than sooner. "I believe they could open up in the fall if we had all of the funding of in 1 lump sum form. But due to the way it's gonna be spread out, it'll be a '27," he said.
Why it matters: The construction schedule and funding timing affect when students will be able to use the new facility and how the district stages enrollments and staffing.
Details: Dr. Bennett said school staff visited the site and noted construction progress; he did not provide a detailed project schedule, contract values or the funding mechanism. Board members who visited the site described it as progressing but muddy due to rain.
Ending: The superintendent indicated the district is monitoring construction progress and funding; no formal board action on the construction schedule was recorded in the meeting transcript.
