Neil Raymond, facilities staff, told the Board of Education on July 16 that several permanent-improvement projects are in progress across district buildings and that some work started later than planned because of contractor scheduling and supply-chain lead times.
He said track removal is complete, trench drains are being installed and paving remains to be done. "The track is tore out. All the event areas have been removed and they're currently installing the trench drain," Neil said, and noted that the contractor’s late start and variable existing pavement thicknesses could necessitate a pending change order. The project requires a roughly 21-day cure period after paving and then a 10–15 day cure for the track surface, so the original Aug. 1 completion target now appears unlikely.
On roofing work at Monclova and other sites, Neil said crews began later than planned but are making progress; unforeseen conditions around parapet walls and roof-deck relationships required additional structural infill in limited areas. He described those as likely minimal change orders.
The high school auditorium lighting project began in early July; theatrical lighting deliveries arrived and crews are adjusting the schedule so house lights remain usable until replacements arrive. Neil said the contractor finished a recent comparable job at Maumee and has been praised by that district's operations director.
Other projects in progress include boilers, chillers and pumps for Waterville, community-room and kitchen cooler/freezer replacements at Fallen Timbers and junior high, and new scoreboard installations in the high-school gym. Neil said cooler/freezer equipment has lead times of about four weeks and that his current plan is to have the Fallen Timbers coolers operational before the school year starts; if needed, the junior-high coolers can be brought back online temporarily.
Board members asked about protecting the new track while the surface cures and about athlete safety. Neil said the district and contractor are discussing protections such as temporary coverings and recovery schedules, and that engineers are advising on drainage to protect the track substrate. "We will be working to make sure that they are able to play on that field," he said.
Neil reviewed additional completed or near-complete items — HVAC troubleshooting at the junior high, demolition and grading at a district-owned property at 6446 Texas Street, asbestos-containing floor tile removal and testing, painting and classroom whiteboard work, gym refinishing, and required inspections such as fire systems and kitchen hoods.
The district’s permanent-improvement (PI) fund was described as largely encumbered for these projects; Carrie noted the PI account still shows over $4 million but much of that is committed in contracts and change orders.