Board receives East Bluffs construction updates, groundbreaking ceremonies for three high schools
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Summary
Staff reported progress on East Bluffs projects and East Bluffs 6 groundbreakings at Alcovey, Eastside and Newton High School; renovation schedules, LDP permits and a March start for playground installations were noted.
The board received a construction update on the district’s East Bluffs capital program, including media center renovations, playground installations and groundbreakings for the next phase of high school projects.
Dr. Mike Barr provided the monthly construction report. Renovations were underway in media centers and new carpeting had been installed at Middle Ridge, Oak Hill, West Newton Elementary and Veterans Memorial Middle School; media center work was on track to be completed in March. The contractor had moved new playground equipment from production to installation and staff said installation would begin March 10, 2025, with work expected to take two to three weeks beginning at Rocky Plains and continuing through Livingston, Hurd Mixon Elementary School and the Newton College and Career Academy STEM building.
Barr said the contractor had submitted required paperwork and remained on schedule to begin work this summer on several projects; monument sign renderings were still under review. The board was told roof replacements at Oak Hill and West Newton Elementary Schools and selective roofing work at Porter Performing Arts Center will be brought for approval in March and are scheduled to begin in summer with an anticipated completion near July 2025.
East Bluffs 6 groundbreakings were in progress: Alcovey High School held a ceremony that day, Eastside’s was scheduled for Feb. 26 and Newton High School for Feb. 27. Temporary construction fencing and site work will begin in early March. Land disturbance permits for Alcovey and Newton were received on Feb. 14; Eastside’s permit was pending final city comments with an anticipated receipt by Feb. 28.
Barr also reported on East Newton Elementary renovations: bids were received Jan. 30 and the board was being asked that night to approve a guaranteed maximum price so phase work could begin after staff duties end in May 2025. He said phase 1 was expected to complete by late July 2025 and phase 2 in summer 2026 so work would be finished before the 2026–27 school year.
Board members praised the ceremonies and noted community excitement about upgraded athletic complexes and other facilities. Several board speakers highlighted alumni success in college athletics as evidence of community pride tied to facility improvements.
The board took no new policy action on the construction update at the meeting; project approvals and GMP items were on the agenda as separate voting items.