Staff reports delays, utility upgrades and contractor scheduling affecting multiple school gym projects

Facilities staff briefed the Capital Outlay Committee on July 15 about progress and delays on gym projects across multiple district schools, saying the issues stem from utility service upgrades, contractor scheduling and equipment lead times. Aaron Page, the staff member presenting the update, said Amy Westside's gym is "up and running" but remains in testing, balancing and waiting for fire marshal approval. Page said Spring Creek requires a service upgrade from Entergy because the single-phase service there is insufficient to run the new equipment and the district will need three-phase service; he said the utility's work may require a new pole-mounted transformer and that the timeline for Entergy's upgrade was not known. Page told the committee that several schools had units delivered but not yet installed; Pontotula High received units in mid-June but installation is held up by contractor scheduling and the need to coordinate gym access around games and practices. Page said Machitura Junior High has a 270-day contract with final completion after substantial completion expected around May 25, 2026. Board members raised concerns about contractors' pace; one member (Mister Fassell) said there was a communication problem between Entergy and a contractor and that he reached out to BJ Cuvion to obtain load information. Page said the district has asked contractors to submit paperwork for contract time extensions for delays caused by equipment lead times, weather or other events, and that liquidated damages have begun to accrue on some contracts. Staff did not provide firm new completion dates for projects that remain dependent on utility upgrades or contractor scheduling. The committee did not take formal action; the discussion produced direction for staff to continue coordination with Entergy, contractors and manufacturers and to collect required extension paperwork.