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District prepares for spring bidding on referendum projects; West grandstand work delayed pending cell‑tower moves
Summary
Board heard referendum project updates: public info session for a new elementary school, major bid openings Feb. 19 and Feb. 27 for John Dewey HVAC and a large Washington project, and West High grandstand completion remains contingent on Crown Castle moving equipment.
Kale (district facilities staff) said at the Feb. 10 work session that the district is moving from planning into a heavy bidding phase for both 2022 and 2024 referendum projects. He said an informational public session about the new elementary school will be held the next day at MacArthur Elementary to show plans and the bid packages the district expects to issue.
Kale told trustees the first large bid openings this spring include a John Dewey HVAC upgrade with bids due Feb. 19 and a large renovation package for "Washington" with an opening on Feb. 27; the district will bring results to the board for award and contract approval.
Kale reviewed remaining work on the 2022 referendum projects — grandstand completion at West High, various roofs, and interior renovations at Preble and West — and said many 2022 items are in final punch‑list phases.
Trustees asked specifically about the West High grandstand project, which remains unfinished pending the relocation of cell‑tower equipment. Kale said the district has a contract (through the city) with the cell‑tower owner and its contractor (identified as Crown Castle's contractor in the meeting) to move equipment, but that the contract is between the tower company and the city rather than the district. He said the district has met with the tower contractor on a weekly basis and that the contractor previously committed to move gear; frost‑out and site conditions will affect foundation work and timing.
Board members expressed frustration that students and events at West have been affected by the delay and asked whether the district could attach deadlines to the contractor through the city. Kale said he would inquire whether a schedule or enforceable date can be attached when the tower company's contract was finalized through the city. He also said the district can mitigate event impacts by keeping existing facilities operational for activities while construction is completed.
No formal board decisions were made at the Feb. 10 meeting. Kale said staff will return with bid results and award recommendations as bids are received later in February and the spring.
