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SOAR capital project largely complete; district now targeting 2027 finish and additional campus upgrades
Summary
Superintendent and project staff briefed the board on the SOAR capital improvement project, reporting completed phases (athletic fields, middle school, elementary playgrounds), ongoing high-school work (pool, tech rooms, cafeteria) and a new projected completion date of 2027—about 12 months ahead of the original schedule.
District staff updated the board Wednesday on the SOAR capital improvement project, describing completed phases, current construction at the high school and the district’s revised anticipated completion schedule.
Dr. Pillman (presenting the SOAR overview) walked trustees through the project’s completed phases—athletic fields and playgrounds at multiple elementary sites—and noted that Blaisdell Elementary’s playground work was completed this summer and is in use. He said the high-school phase is currently underway with major elements including the pool, tech-classroom renovations (metal and wood shops), a reworked counseling suite, and a cafeteria/kitchen renovation that will include a new serving line and improved air-conditioning in the renovated space.
Key timeline and scope details: Dr. Pillman said work on the high school is scheduled so key elements (pool, tech classrooms, cafeteria) will be available by the start of the next school year; some displacement of tech classes is planned for one semester while construction proceeds. Pinehurst Elementary is planned as the final phase and is scheduled for next summer. The district now expects to finish the entire SOAR project in 2027, about 12 months ahead of an original 2028 target, a change Dr. Pillman said will produce savings that help absorb escalation on other items.
Facilities committee and finance perspective: In committee reports, facilities and finance leaders described additional smaller site work (tennis courts concrete, bus-loop repairs, widened walkways at Pinehurst) and noted continued focus on safety upgrades like automatic locking doors and PA systems. Finance committee discussion included a characterization of the total project size; a trustee reported the project has been managed to remain near the district’s $734,000,000 budget figure despite post‑COVID cost escalations and additional scope delivered beyond initial expectations.
Ending: Trustees praised construction staff and contractors for progress and noted the project’s early schedule as a significant district accomplishment. No new board action on the SOAR project schedule was required at Wednesday’s meeting.
