Liberty Elementary work ahead of schedule; high school HVAC slated for summer work, board told

District facilities staff told the Waynesville R‑VI Board of Education on April 21 that the Liberty Elementary site is progressing ahead of schedule and that the district plans to begin vertical construction in August 2025 after completing bid package 1 work.

Why it matters: The update gives families and staff an initial schedule for construction and for the high‑school HVAC overhaul, which administration warned will require limited access to portions of the high school campus in late May and through the summer.

What the board heard - Site progress: Administration said Bloomsdale Excavating, the contractor holding the bid package 1 contract, has completed significant excavation and site‑preparation work. Aerial photos presented to the board showed grading and entrance work already underway.

- Schedule: Administration described phased dates tied to bid packages. Staff said major excavating and material haul‑off were expected in February 2026, with retaining walls completed in February 2026 for bid package 1 work. For bid package 2, administration said the district would begin contract negotiations after the board's award and expected construction to begin in August 2025; administration said the district anticipates a substantial completion date of "March 27" as presented, but did not specify the year in the public remarks.

- High school HVAC: Administration said the high‑school HVAC upgrade will start the day after school is out and will require limited access to parts of the high‑school campus. Administration provided a tentative timeline: crews ready to begin May 24 (the day after school ends), limited access through late spring and June, main building access expected to be available by Aug. 1, and auditorium HVAC completion targeted for Sept. 15 or earlier. Staff said contractors will attempt to provide alternate access and accommodate staff needs during construction.

Board direction and next steps Administration said it will finalize contract documents for bid package 2 with the recommended contractor and return the final contract to the board in May. Notices to families and staff about access during HVAC work were presented as forthcoming.

What the board approved related to construction At the same meeting the board approved contract change proposals for bid package 1 and accepted the base bid and unit prices for bid package 2 from Ryke Construction (base bid reported as $36,975,000, alternate 1 excluded). Administration stated that awarding bid package 2 will allow contract negotiations to proceed and that construction would begin in August 2025 once documents are finalized and returned to the board for signature.

Sources and limits of authority Administration noted that the excavator currently on site would complete work required to prepare the building pad and ancillary items in advance of the contractor for bid package 2. The board's approval of the BP1 contract change proposals provided the on‑site contractor notice to proceed on those changes; BP2 award was a separate acceptance of a base bid pending final contract documents.

For families Administration said it will communicate more detailed schedules and campus access instructions before the end of the school year.