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Warren County R-III gets update on new elementary school construction; contractor ahead but weather could delay work
Summary
Architects reviewed the site plan, progress and schedule for the new elementary school, saying settlement-monitoring is underway, several utility and permitting steps are pending, and the contractor currently reports being 3–4 months ahead of schedule but winter weather could erase that lead.
An architect for Hohner Architects told the Warren County R-III Board of Education on Feb. 13 that construction of the district's new elementary school is underway and that crews are monitoring settlement plates before starting foundations.
“So the tan area in the center, that is your building footprint,” Matt McDermott of Hohner Architects said as he walked the board through the site plan, showing the future classroom addition, parking, bus loop and stormwater detention areas.
McDermott said the contractor mobilized in late 2024 and began work that required shop drawings and material ordering before ground-disturbing activity. Bids were due in September, the contract paperwork was signed in December, construction activities (shop drawings and procurement) began in November, and physical site work started Nov. 4, he said. The project's contractual completion dates are listed as November 2026 (substantial completion) and December 2026 (final completion).
The architect described site work now in progress: excavation down about 5 feet in large areas, placement of settlement plates (pipes set on plates) and initial rock fill that currently sits roughly 18–20 inches above the plates. McDermott said crew members will monitor the settlement plates weekly and will not install footings until two to three weeks pass with no measurable movement.
McDermott also listed other milestones and approvals the project needs to proceed: Department of Natural Resources approval for a water line (he said that approval has been received), a retaining-wall permit that has been issued, continued coordination with the city on the building permit (he said an outstanding structural calculation file was resent and he expected resolution soon), Ameren utility relocations and easement work for gas, and coordination with MoDOT on the traffic signal and road improvements on Ash Road.
He cautioned that weather is the principal near-term risk. "Next week does not look good, so don't expect to see a lot with the temperatures," McDermott said, while also noting the contractor's current schedule shows the project is about three to four months ahead of the baseline timetable.
Board members asked technical questions about settlement monitoring and winter compaction; McDermott replied that the excavation bottoms are below the local frost line and compaction is expected to continue despite winter conditions, which reduces the risk that seasonal freeze-thaw cycles will invalidate the settlement observations.
The architect said construction meetings occur biweekly, the contractor provides a three-week look-ahead, and the district's team will continue quarterly updates to the board. Superintendent Dr. Klaney Smith was listed as the district contact for follow-up questions.
Pending permits and utility relocations remain dependencies for certain site access and traffic changes; McDermott said the project team will continue to coordinate with the city, Ameren and MoDOT as schedule and weather allow.
Board members did not take a formal vote on the project during the presentation; the update was informational.
