Superintendent outlines bond-funded upgrades, FEMA application and daycare search

Superintendent Rick told the board that multiple bond-funded facilities projects are complete or underway across the Chickasha district and that staff are seeking FEMA funding to offset the cost of a planned library renovation at Grand Elementary.

Rick recapped recent upgrades including new turf at several playgrounds, secure vestibules and office renovations at Grand, Lincoln and the middle school, a new roof at Chickasha High School and site improvements such as additional staff parking. He noted transportation fleet updates (new Suburbans and pickup trucks, two ag trucks) and furniture replacement timelines tied to recurring funds. "We've been able to update our service fleet," Rick said. "The last time we had new trucks as a whole was 1999."

Several projects were listed as upcoming and set for bid in April or May, with construction to begin this summer: the high school drama room and library, a Lincoln gym safe room, and drop-off/pickup-lane improvements at Grand to relieve a congested dismissal area. Rick said the district must encumber funds by October and hoped to hear back from FEMA by August on the Grand library application. "If not, then I've wasted 2 and a half, 3 years of time of trying to get FEMA funding," he told the board, noting the district had responded to FEMA—s questions on March 30.

On the proposed employee daycare, Rick said the bond included roughly $600,000 allocated to a southwest site (Southwest/ALC) and staff have worked for more than two years to keep the total cost under $1 million. He warned that construction bids have been high; the district had previously received bids as large as $2.4 million and a reduced-scope bid near $1.6 million. "This is happening throughout the entire state," Rick said, attributing higher prices to construction costs and code upgrades for older buildings.

Rick explained other cost drivers: required fire-panel upgrades at the high school could add roughly $70,000 before renovations can proceed because the building must meet current code if altered. The superintendent said the daycare is intended primarily as a staff benefit to aid teacher recruitment and retention; if space is available, students could be served later.

Board members asked about FEMA appeals and capacity in safe rooms if FEMA standards are not met; Rick said non-FEMA-rated safe rooms can still provide shelter but may not meet FEMA space-per-child requirements and the district could reduce standards if necessary. He asked the board to attend a community bond update meeting scheduled for the next Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. in the boardroom and said the presentation would be posted online.

No formal action was taken during the facilities update agenda item; projects will return to the board with bid documents and funding details.