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Pinon and Chamisa school projects report: Pinon nearing finish; county to fund road, Chamisa tighter but on track

3516913 · May 22, 2025
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Summary

District construction managers reported Pinon Elementary is roughly 80% complete with about $7 million remaining and Chamisa roughly 71% complete with about $12 million remaining; the county agreed to pay up to $1 million for a road project tied to Pinon, and staff described moving, abatement and staffing plans.

District construction staff told the board that the two White Rock-area school projects are progressing and remain on the district’s overall budget and contingency plans, with Pinon Elementary nearing final completion and Chamisa Elementary slightly behind but proceeding.

Superintendent Guy and construction managers reported that Pinon is about 80 percent complete, with roughly $7 million of work remaining, and that Chamisa has about 29 percent of work remaining (approximately $12 million), figures the district presented as part of each project’s guaranteed maximum price (GMP). District staff said the projects were procured through a construction-manager-at-risk process and that careful timing and negotiation helped secure favorable pricing compared with recent statewide bids.

The board heard that the district has used a portion of contingency funds — Pinon has had roughly $1 million of contingency used, leaving an estimated 66 percent of that contingency intact; Chamisa has used more contingency and has about 36 percent remaining — and that soil and rock removal (basalt) was the single largest unexpected cost driver on both sites.

Superintendent Guy told the board that Los Alamos County agreed to pay up to $1 million toward construction of a road behind Pinon Elementary; the district has submitted paperwork for that agreement. Staff said that the bulk of the buildings’ major systems are operational at Pinon, with HVAC commissioning and testing under way, and that Pinon is expected to be ready for move-in earlier than Chamisa. District representatives set a community “come-and-go” event to tour the old Pinon building on the thirtieth.

The board also discussed logistics for packing and moving into the new buildings. Staff said movers (Delancey Street) will perform heavy moving tasks, volunteers such as Kiwanis have offered to help with packing, and principals are coordinating what items will transfer to the new buildings or be redistributed across district sites. The district plans asbestos abatement and demolition of the old buildings after moves are complete.

Board members praised the construction team for delivering projects close to budget and for working with the state and county to secure funding. Staff noted the new campuses include upgraded security features such as perimeter fencing and expanded camera coverage, and noted timelines remain tight for Chamisa but achievable.