Johnson City officials report progress on secure vestibules, Market Street demolition; Town Acres bids 5–10% over budget if all options selected

Johnson City Schools staff briefed the Board of Education on district facility projects, saying work on secure vestibules at three elementary schools is moving forward but procurement challenges have slowed completion, and that demolition work at Market Street School has begun ahead of schedule.

Brian Ross, a district facilities speaker, told the board that construction of secure vestibules at Mountain View, Cherokee and Northside elementary schools "is progressing relatively well," but said the projects are encountering procurement challenges "particularly with the bullet resistant glazing." Ross said the contracts call for completion by the end of the calendar year, and he expects that timeframe for those three schools.

Ross said Market Street School crews "started this past weekend" and have begun demolition; he described that work as ahead of schedule. He also told the board that bids for the Town Acres project were submitted to the district earlier that day and that staff, purchasing and the architect must review and certify the bids. "If we were to go all in with all the features that we'd like to have, it's probably 5 to 10% over budget right now," Ross said, adding that there is "some wiggle room".

Board members asked for further follow-up on a separate concession stand upgrade at Science Hill. Ross said the stand project is a matter of funding and likely falls under city administration funding priorities rather than an immediate district capital allocation. A board member asked Ross to report back with information at a future meeting.

No formal action was taken; staff said they will return after bid certification with recommended next steps and numbers for the Town Acres project.