South Fayette updates timeline for K–2 school, middle-school addition and new bus depot

South Fayette Township School District staff on March 25 updated the board on three major campus projects—the K–2 primary school, an addition to the intermediate/middle school and a new bus depot and maintenance facility—and outlined a phased construction schedule that depends on county and state approvals.

Dan, a district staff member presenting the facilities update, said contractors have held kickoff meetings for the middle-school addition and that work is beginning on-site. "The middle school is just starting construction; just had their first construction meetings and they're getting kicked off," Dan said. He said third-party testing proposals and a final construction schedule from contractor PJ are forthcoming.

District staff described the K–2 project as being in the design-development phase. "The schedule stands for the new K2 is to complete the design development phase by the end of the summer, construction documents will be done by the end of the year and then we'll have bidding right away at the beginning of the year," Dan said. He said preliminary construction is slated to start in spring 2026 with a target for building occupation in August 2028—about a 28‑month construction window—but cautioned site work and finishing of some features could take longer.

The bus depot and maintenance facility is on an accelerated path, but also contingent on approvals. "We're really trying to get the bus depot under construction as quickly as possible. Our drawings will be complete this summer… everything is dependent on the Department of Environmental Protection and the county approval process," Dan said. He estimated regulatory review at roughly six months and projected construction on the bus facility at about 18 to 20 months.

Board members pressed for clarity about overlap among projects and disruption during construction. A board member observed the bus facility schedule (spring 2026–November 2028, as presented) appeared long for a relatively small building and asked how the district would avoid interfering with construction of the new elementary school. Dan replied the district expects some overlap and described a phasing plan: the existing on-site storage building would be maintained and temporarily used for bus maintenance while new facilities are built; parts of the current practice field would be graveled to park buses during construction to keep them on campus.

Site-level details presented to the board included a realignment of driveways that would pass through the Pupil Services building (that building would be raised as part of the project), a two‑story maintenance/administration building built into the hillside, a separate bus‑maintenance garage with bays and a bus wash, and a 50‑foot drop from Old Oakdale to the proposed depot location. Dan described the depot as “a 2‑story building for the maintenance department and the bus administration” with bus bays, storage, welding area and a wash.

The presenter said civil engineering, stormwater and erosion control reviews will be required for both projects and that PJ—identified in the presentation as the contractor contact—would provide a more detailed, phased mobilization schedule soon. The district said it will present third‑party testing and inspection proposals to the board for approval.

The presentation closed with the district saying it will return with a more detailed phasing plan and schedule, and that some site features (for example, turf fields and some parking) may finish after building occupation. The board did not take formal action on the projects at the March 25 meeting.

The update establishes the district’s working schedule and identifies near‑term items that will return to the board for approvals, including testing/inspection contracts and final construction schedules.