The board approved a pavement project to replace the worn “strip” area behind Galesburg Junior-Senior High School and adjacent to the new Galesburg Athletic Center. Facilities staff recommended awarding the contract to Centennial Contractors for $234,500, citing heavy wear from construction traffic and temporary classroom placement.

District staff explained that while smaller repairs were possible, a full replacement will better integrate new concrete curbing with existing concrete speed bumps and avoid faster erosion that would follow piecemeal repairs. The project scope covers paved and gravel parking areas in the rear strip and includes curbing, concrete work and related finishes. Centennial was the lowest bidder; staff noted Centennial is already mobilized on-site for related Northside construction work, which reduced mobilization costs and likely contributed to the lower bid.

Schedule and funding: the contract requires substantial completion by Oct. 17. The district will close portions of the area beginning Oct. 6 to allow work during fall break; staff coordinated timing with athletics and other events to preserve access for invited competitions. The project will be funded from capital-project reserves sourced from the district’s 1% facility sales tax; district staff said the monthly 1% receipts are typically about $350,000–$380,000, making this project less than one month’s facility-tax receipts.

Board discussion covered the large spread among bids (staff noted curbing costs varied by about $50,000 across bidders), concerns about salt usage on new concrete in winter, and contingency planning in case of heavy rain that would delay pours. The board approved the contract by roll call.

Ending: staff said the full concrete replacement is expected to reduce maintenance needs for many years and improve safety and spectator access to the athletic facility.