District updates: Little Powder on schedule, Conestoga study delayed, bus‑barn budget gap identified

District facilities staff provided trustees with multiple project updates, including construction progress, delayed state studies and budget mismatches that will require follow‑up with state agencies.

Little Powder: Facilities staff said interior framing is complete, mechanical rough‑in is ongoing and the project remains on schedule for a late‑December completion; staff suggested a future board tour and said an August move‑in and ribbon cutting were being planned.

Aquatic center: Contractors have completed substantial pool‑area work (deep‑end wall rebar, deck and tile installation) and staff still anticipate an August 8 move‑in date for the new facility.

Conestoga (Mercer study): The district reported a delay in receiving the state’s draft Mercer study. Conestoga was ranked among the lower‑scoring facilities in a statewide review and received approximately $7.2 million in legislative remediation funding in an earlier session; the district said the state study’s delay stalled intended summer design work and effectively cost the district a year of schedule progress. District staff plan continued follow‑up with the School Facilities Department to obtain the draft and advance design work.

Bus‑barn (transportation facility): The district flagged that the state’s budget for a new transportation facility omitted site work in its public budget figure; the district’s cost estimate for a complete, guideline‑compliant bus barn (including site work) was roughly $12.5 million, but the state budget figure that reached the legislature was about $17.5 million in a prior submittal and then reverted to the lower figure in a later change. District staff said the current approved figure effectively leaves a roughly $7 million shortfall if site work and off‑site infrastructure are needed; the district intends to seek clarification from the state and to press for an adjusted budget to match design requirements.

Other items: The report covered pending negotiation of contract language for a new Campbell County High School (concerns about geotechnical work timing and a tight schedule were noted) and that the Conestoga/HVAC/security remediation approach would likely be phased to extend useful life. Trustees asked for a tour of Little Powder and additional meetings with state facility staff to resolve open budget/design questions.

Next steps District staff will continue to engage state facility staff and the design team, schedule board tours of Little Powder and the aquatic center, gather updated cost estimates for the transportation facility and return with revised timelines and budget requests.