Okaloosa school construction update: two agenda items pulled, Pine View power and multi-school projects reported

The Okaloosa County School Board received a status update Wednesday from the program owners representatives on district construction projects, during which two agenda items were removed and staff described progress and delays on several large task orders.

Board member Mr. Heinle read two agenda changes at the start of the meeting and the board approved a motion to delete agenda items 10.2 and 10.3; he said those items were removed "because we had not received the validation of those." The motion to delete was moved by Mr. Heinle, seconded by Mr. Destin and approved 5–0.

Mr. Heinle then reviewed multiple task orders. Highlights included: - Task Order 12 (districtwide sales tax cafeteria renovations): designs for three cafeterias are complete; demolition for Edwin’s cafeteria will begin soon and new furniture is scheduled for summer delivery. - Task Order 23 (1.5-cent sales tax high school auditorium upgrades): stage-curtain pricing and lighting-controller work described; Baker and Chautauhatchee projects are in progress. - Task Order 32 (Florosa Elementary and central administration roof coating): coating work complete; crews responding to a few leaks caused by a recent heavy rain. - Task Order 33 (softball press boxes and concession/restroom buildings): press boxes functional and awaiting walkthrough; restroom/concession buildings at Lewis are under construction and expected to be dried-in in about two weeks. - Task Order 34 (Megs and Destin sales tax projects): front office at Megs waiting final inspections; gym floor work and new bleacher installation planned for June–July. - Task Order 35 (Pine View new K–8 school, COP and 1.5 funding): concrete and vertical work progressing; poles and a transformerpads are being installed and staff said they are hoping for power by June. Board members noted challenges with utilities and weather but praised on-site progress. - Task Order 38 (districtwide fine and performing arts; Niceville band room addition): Niceville’s project is listed as roughly $1,700,000 and will be brought back to the board once validation is complete. - Task Order 39 (districtwide parking and paving): Phase 1 at Crestview is slated for summer completion; later phases will be timed to minimize disruption when school resumes. - Task Order 44 (sales tax roofing projects): Elliott Point phase 1 materials were ordered; Edwin’s roof materials were delivered and work will continue even while classes are in session because of a concrete roof. - Task Order 45 (sales tax restroom renovations): described as roughly a $1,000,000 project to renovate 26 bathrooms across multiple schools (six schools mentioned); this item was among those the presenter suggested would return to the next board meeting once validations are complete.

Mr. Heinle repeatedly emphasized that deleted items 10.2 and 10.3 would return after validation and that some projects would extend into the next year. Dr. White and other trustees credited staff for visible progress at sites such as Niceville, Megs, Baker and Pine View despite rain and utility challenges.

No formal contract awards or budget votes were recorded during the update; the meeting record shows the board approved agenda deletions and then continued with informational status reports.