Keystone Central outlines summer facilities schedule: demolition June 9, concrete and flooring projects to proceed

Keystone Central School District facilities staff told the district facilities committee on May 27 they plan a series of summer projects meant to ready school buildings for fall, including moving staff and equipment into the new Liberty building, asbestos abatement and demolition, concrete repairs, and flooring and classroom conversions.

Sam, district facilities staff, said the timeline for the Liberty building project includes electrical switchover June 5, kitchen equipment removal June 5–6, asbestos floor-tile abatement June 7–8, and demolition starting June 9. He said most teacher belongings will be moved May 30 and the remaining moves will occur June 5. Sam added that usable furniture from the old building is being redistributed across the district where possible.

On concrete repairs, Sam reported the district received two public bids and recommended awarding the work to local contractor RC Bowman. The bid came in “well under the $200,000” the district has earmarked in its 10-year capital plan for annual concrete work, he said. Committee members expressed support for moving forward and asked administration to prepare a board vote.

Committee members and staff also discussed Rob Elementary hallway flooring. Sam presented an option to replace tile with a seamless epoxy floor at an amount noted on the 10-year plan as $150,000; he said a vendor quote already received is less than that figure but that prevailing-wage and bidding requirements could affect final cost. Committee members discussed an alternative approach using the district’s recently purchased concrete grinder and in-house staff to refinish and seal concrete, which could reduce long-term maintenance costs but might require third‑party removal of old tile and supplemental contractor help.

Other summer items discussed included converting part of a library into a single 900-square-foot classroom (the district concluded the existing library space is large enough for one classroom but not two without removing an emergency exit), and replacing worn tables and stools in the Central Mountain Middle School science classrooms; the furniture replacements were listed in the district’s capital plan and are scheduled for 2025–26. The committee confirmed funding for capital projects has been earmarked in the district’s plan and that administration will prepare cost comparisons and bid materials where needed.

Committee members asked administration to present floor plans, firm bid recommendations and cost comparisons at the next work session or full board meeting. No formal board votes were taken at the committee meeting; several items were identified for summer procurement and construction schedules and will be presented to the board for approval as required.