Sherman ISD staff and CORE Construction representatives told trustees on Aug. 11 that four major campus projects — Parker new elementary and replacement campuses at Crutchfield and Fairview, plus additions at Sherman High School — opened for the first day of school on schedule, while the high school stadium and early childhood center remain in progress.

Maintenance and operations staff summarized summer work that included plumbing repairs, repainting classrooms, moving and repurposing furniture from closed campuses, and salvaging equipment for future district use. District maintenance staff noted the scale of the effort: "We have about 80 custodians on staff, 15 maintenance, 12 grounds," and described moving nearly 5,000 boxes between buildings during the campus relocations.

CORE Construction reported that the four campuses turned over and opened for instruction despite challenges including building-permit delays (several multi-week permit delays were cited), expanded abatement scopes, disrupted utility tie-ins for electricity/water/gas, and temporary access limitations caused by city road work. CORE representatives said remaining work is largely punch-list and site completion items (parking lot installation, light poles, sidewalks, canopies and landscaping) and that the high school stadium and early childhood center remain on schedule.

Board concerns and timeline: Several trustees praised the new facilities but expressed frustration that some teacher move-in tasks and finish work remained incomplete at the time staff and teachers needed those rooms. One trustee said the guaranteed maximum price (GMP) schedule had listed July 1 as substantial completion and asked for clearer, earlier communication about permitting delays so the board and city officials could assist in expediting approvals.

Stadium status: Trustees asked whether the stadium will be ready in time to host graduation. CORE and district staff said the stadium is a few weeks behind schedule due in part to weather and foundation/ pier work, but that the team has a schedule to top out steel and make the structure weather-tight. District staff said outdoor fields and track will be available for student use during construction with coordination to avoid unsafe work activities.

Discussion vs. decision: This was an informational construction update; the board did not take new procurement or change-order votes in open session during this item. Several trustees requested more regular updates on schedule and punch-list completion.

Ending: Trustees applauded maintenance, custodial and contractor teams for their work and encouraged faster communication on permitting and completion milestones moving forward.