Board approves MoDOT easements, trims excavation contract as Liberty Elementary work progresses

The Waynesville Board of Education on July (monthly meeting) approved two warranty deeds granting right-of-way easements to the Missouri Department of Transportation to allow required improvements to T Highway tied to the Liberty Elementary School project and approved a change order that reduced the Bloomsdale Excavating contract by $1,050,000.

Board presentation and action came as construction staff reported the Liberty Elementary project is moving through major excavation and grading phases and that retaining wall work is nearing completion along T Highway. Project manager Harrison said major excavation for phase 1 is scheduled to be finished in July, with Wright Construction slated to begin the next phase in August. Work on retaining walls is expected to continue into February 2026, while other building construction proceeds concurrently.

Why it matters: the easements allow MoDOT to perform highway work required for the new school’s access and safety improvements. Board motions approved the deeds during the meeting and the change order reduced the contract value for Bloomsdale Excavating from its prior amount to $11,956,386.09.

Details on construction schedule and scope: Harrison described aerial and site photos showing retaining walls, grading, and areas planned for a solar installation. He said the district has bids out for the solar project and expects to select a contractor and begin contract negotiations around the August board meeting, with construction of the solar array possibly beginning in December and substantial completion projected for summer 2026. Separately, Harrison reported progress on other district facilities, including air-handling units recently set at the high school and finishing items in the auditorium, with an anticipated August 1 substantial completion for the central office area and readying the auditorium by about Aug. 15.

Board action and votes: the board moved and seconded motions to approve the two MoDOT warranty deeds and the Bloomsdale Excavating change order; the meeting record shows the agenda adoption earlier passed unanimously 6–0, and subsequent construction motions were approved by voice/show of hands.

Discussion vs. decisions: Harrison’s remarks were presented as informational updates. The formal decisions recorded in the meeting minutes were limited to: approval of the two MoDOT easements (warranty deeds) and approval of change order number 2 with Bloomsdale Excavating that reduced the contract by $1,050,000. No additional direction or policy changes on the construction program were recorded in the transcript.

Next steps and timeline: Wright Construction is scheduled to mobilize in August for phase 2 of the Liberty project; retaining-wall work will continue, and separate procurement and contracting steps for the solar project are expected to return to the board in August for award and negotiations.