Sand Springs board approves Clyde Boyd Middle School GMP, adopts 2025–26 calendar and OK investment pool

The Sand Springs Board of Education at its March 2025 meeting approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the Clyde Boyd Middle School construction project, adopted the 2025–26 instructional calendar and took a series of financial and policy votes that move construction and short-term investment decisions forward.

Board members voted to accept the GMP for the Clyde Boyd project after hearing from LD Kearns, the construction manager. Josh, a representative of LD Kearns, said the contractor team and district staff had reviewed bids and schedules with subcontractors and that the construction schedule assumes the new building will be ready for the start of school in August 2026. "Yes. We, actually, Earl, myself, and, Ryan had teams meetings with all of the bidders...My focus is schedules," Josh said during discussion. The board was told the current project total for this phase was "in the $18,000,000 range," and that the GMP excludes furniture and equipment, architect fees and IT systems.

The board also: approved the district calendar for the 2025–26 school year; adopted multiple policy revisions and rescissions to update language (including search and drug/alcohol testing policy changes); approved joining the Oklahoma Liquid Asset Pool (OLAP) as a short-term investment option; and accepted an amendment to an existing interlocal agreement with the City to cover an additional $18,000 in sidewalk work around a downtown plaza.

Why it matters: approving the GMP authorizes project procurement to move into the construction phase and sets the schedule that district staff and contractors will follow. The OLAP membership gives the district an additional short-term investment vehicle the CFO said offers same- or next-day liquidity and yields competitive with current certificate-of-deposit rates. The policy updates replace dated language and consolidate regulations the board noted had been sourced through OSSBA guidance.

Board discussion and supporting details

- Bids and schedule: District and contractor representatives said multiple contractors competed and that the district held pre-bid vendor meetings to verify scope. Josh (LD Kearns) explained that subcontractors were informed the target occupancy date is August 2026 and that bid packages were vetted to ensure items such as toilet partitions were included in scopes.

- Cost scope: The board was told the GMP number covers construction for the phase discussed but excludes architect fees, furniture/fixtures/equipment (FFE) and IT infrastructure. The project manager indicated the phase total was "in the $18,000,000 range." The board asked about unfamiliar subcontractors and was told most firms were known to staff; the glazing contractor was noted as a newer firm.

- Investment decision: The board voted to approve joining the Oklahoma liquid asset pool. The district CFO explained OLAP is not FDIC-insured, is AAA-rated by S&P, restricts investments in instruments allowable by state statute and provides same-day or next-day liquidity as an alternative to locking funds into CDs.

- Interlocal amendment: The City agreed to cover an additional $18,000 to rebuild sidewalk around the downtown plaza; the board approved an amendment to the existing interlocal agreement that previously provided $1 million for the plaza project.

Votes at the meeting (selected action items)

- Item 37 — Accept GMP/bids for Clyde Boyd Middle School: motion made and seconded; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hanlon — Aye; Naugle — Aye; Wagman — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Item 32 — Approve 2025–26 school calendar: motion seconded; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hamlin — Aye; Naugle — Aye; Wagonen — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Consent agenda (includes routine approvals and personnel items): motion and second; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hamlin — Aye; Naugle — Aye; Wagner — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Item 31 — Employment recommendations (after proposed executive session): motion and second; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hamlin — Aye; Naugle — Aye; Weidner — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Item 33 — Adopt revised policies (including immigration/ICE protocol and others): motion and second; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hamlin — Aye; Naugle — Aye; Wegman — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Item 34 — Rescind/revise drug and alcohol testing policy language (DCCB / regulation): motion and second; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hanlon — Aye; Nagle — Aye; Weidman — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Item 35 — Authorize membership in Oklahoma public school investment interlocal (OLAP): motion and second; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hamlin — Aye; Noble — Aye; Wagner — Aye. Outcome: approved.

- Item 36 — Amend interlocal agreement with City to add $18,000 for sidewalk around downtown plaza: motion and second; vote recorded: Mullins — Aye; Hamlin — Aye; Naugle — Aye; Whiteman — Aye. Outcome: approved.

What the votes mean next

Construction teams will proceed with procurement and schedules tied to the GMP; district staff said a groundbreaking for Clyde Boyd Middle School is scheduled for March 24. The OLAP membership gives the district an additional option for investing ad valorem and other short-term funds while retaining liquidity. Policy changes will be incorporated into the district policy manual and regulatory provisions will be updated as directed.

Ending note

Board members repeatedly emphasized schedule and budget oversight during discussion and asked staff to continue communicating specifics about subcontractors, scope items and FFE/IT exclusions as construction progresses.