Lakewood City Schools announced that the Family Services/Outreach (FSO) instructional spaces and the new MEMS laboratory are turned over to the district for use, with full occupancy in administrative and FSO areas and temporary occupancy for the new welding addition pending final sign-offs.

Scott Wagner of Regency, the project contractor, presented progress photos and a room-by-room update, saying the reception area, nurse’s clinic, updated hallways and classroom spaces have been completed. “We have occupancies for all the spaces,” Wagner said, noting a few items remain on order and will arrive in the next couple weeks.

Wagner said the MEMS lab is complete with casework, specialty lighting and window film; lockers and changing rooms have been installed. The welding addition includes booths, a tool crib and a fume extractor. “The welding booths [are] set up in the majority of the area,” Wagner said. He added that a fume hood for the MEMS lab and a sump pump in the elevator pit were on order; the sump pump was required after the contractor encountered groundwater.

The district described the welding space as in temporary occupancy. A board member asked whether students could use the welding classroom before the outstanding items are finished. Wagner responded that students can be in the space, but “we do need the power and the canisters for the welding booths to be fully operational,” and the final sign-off is pending completion of those items.

Wagner also noted some fencing remains to be installed outside where gas canisters will be located and that extra electrical work was added to supply the welding booths. “Those all should be done in the next couple weeks,” he said.

The superintendent and board members praised facility staff and maintenance crews for summer preparations and noted strong program signups. One board member said both the welding and MEMS classes are full for the coming term.

Ending: The district reported full or temporary occupancies do not yet require an additional board action; the administration will return with confirmation when final inspections and equipment deliveries are complete.