Construction leaders told the Marshalltown board on July 14 that work at Franklin Field is progressing despite an unusually wet start to the season and that the district expects key site elements to be usable before the August school-start date. Michael, a Franklin Field project representative, said crews completed on-site demolition and replaced a 48-inch sewer in coordination with the city, built a detention pond for turf stormwater management and were pouring footings and retaining walls on the south side of the site.

Michael said the team has "put in some other measures like bringing in some rock and maybe some stiff clay to help and stabilize some of the site components" after the meeting noted the site received extensive rain. Pete and project staff reported the rainfall over the 42–45 days on-site measured "over 20 inches," and later in the meeting that value was described as closer to 23 inches. The contractors used additional drainage, pumps and temporary measures to continue pours and preserve progress.

Site work highlights reported to the board included sheet piling along Thirteenth Street and Main Street to prepare for future retaining walls, near-complete south-side footings and rebar, an east retaining wall push, and a west parking lot expansion that will add roughly 12–15 employee parking stalls and should be open before school starts. Michael said field soil improvements and turf work were expected in late August to early September, with some deliveries starting mid-August.

On budget and contingency, project staff reported a district contingency balance of $200,000 and a construction-side contingency of $172,000; the team also identified an immediate $50,000 saving on a shoring method with work by a local contractor, which will be returned as a credit to the district. Safety and site-control items were described as active: daily safety inspections, background checks for crews, coordination with the district's safety plans and no on-site incidents reported in roughly 3,000 work hours to date.

The team also described upcoming priorities: completing retaining walls that enable relocation of two playgrounds and preschool play areas, finishing the west parking lot and food-service delivery access before the district's August 18 date, and continuing drainage and utility installation. No formal board action was requested; the presentation was informational.

Why it matters: Franklin Field is a high-visibility campus upgrade that affects daily school operations and event scheduling. The heavy rainfall has increased schedule risk and cost pressure but contractors reported mitigation steps and a plan to complete critical access and playground items before classes begin.