Okaloosa County School Board reviews construction task orders, highlights cafeteria conversions and restroom renovations

The Okaloosa County School Board heard a construction program update from board member Mr. Heinle, who outlined active task orders and near-term work across district schools.

Mr. Heinle told the board, "in front of you, you have a a full agenda of all the task orders, and then I also gave you a highlight." The presentation covered completed cafetoriums, auditorium upgrades funded with "1.5 mil money," roofing projects, softball press boxes, HVAC and plumbing work, district parking and paving projects, a master plan using Triumph and Department of Education funds, and a new restroom renovation package covering six schools.

Why it matters: the projects alter learning spaces and address recurring facilities complaints such as restroom condition and cafeteria capacity. Several items are funded through sales tax, revenue described in the meeting as "1.5 mil money," certificates of participation (COP) and other referendum and external grants mentioned by Mr. Heinle.

Key points from the update: - Task order 12: Cafetorium projects were completed and turned over; the last site noted was Bob Sykes Elementary. Mr. Heinle said remaining work under that task order is converting old cafeterias into classroom space. - Task order 23: High school auditorium upgrades funded with "1.5 mil money," including new curtains, flooring and new seats at Crestview Auditorium. - Task order 32: Roofing projects under the 1.5 mil allocation are largely finished; Florosa Elementary was reported at about 90–98 percent complete. - Task order 33: Softball press boxes and concession buildings at Fort Walton Beach High School and Crestview High School were behind schedule because of design and site-condition changes; bids and scope modifications for other schools were forthcoming. - Task order 34: Sales tax projects at MEGS and Destin Middle School — Destin Middle School cafeteria work is finished; MEGS front-office work was paused due to termite issues discovered in the gym. - Task order 35: COP-funded projects include the new Crestview K–8 campus, Pineview work (slabs being poured) and wing additions at Destin Elementary and Baker School; roadwork into Destin Elementary was noted as ongoing. - Task order 37: HVAC projects: principal and contractor coordination at Mary Esther and piping/cooling-tower work at Long Beach High School; additional piping work planned for Niceville. - Task order 39: District-wide parking and paving projects assigned oversight to board members Tim Bridal and Marcus Chambers; Crestview parking lot re-lining and paving were described as imminent. - Task order 43: Master plan for the OTC North site (funded by Triumph and DOE money) — design work complete, pricing and GMP (guaranteed maximum price) submission in progress. - Task order 45: A restroom renovation package covering six referendum schools was announced; Mr. Heinle listed Megs, Lewis, Plew, Kenwood and OTC and said one additional school would be phased in. He added that Niceville will receive restroom work separate from the referendum list.

Board members asked practical questions. Board member Mr. Destin asked about classroom yield from cafeteria conversions: "About how many rooms do we expect to get out of those replacements?" Mr. Heinle replied that campuses differ but "most are fitting 4 classrooms in there." The board discussed phasing and design work; Mr. Heinle said there was "no order on how we're starting that. We gotta get the design work done."

The board received a supplemental 20-page report referenced by Mr. Heinle and said staff and the construction team would continue to refine designs, pricing and bid packages ahead of upcoming meetings.

Next steps: designers will finish scopes and pricing for GMP submissions where applicable, bids will be issued for outstanding items, and construction oversight will continue at sites described by Mr. Heinle. The board did not take a formal vote on any project during the update.