Jefferson City Schools get construction update: early childhood center nearly complete; middle school additions on accelerated schedule

Patrick Aylsworth of SM Wilson updated the Jefferson City Board of Education on bond-funded construction projects, saying the district's early childhood center is approximately 97% built and that multiple middle-school renovations are moving faster than originally planned.

The presentation covered three active sites: the early childhood center, Lewis and Clark and Thomas Jefferson Middle School renovations, and the Jeff City Academic Center. Aylsworth and the project's senior manager, Emily, described work completed this summer, ongoing interior finishes and the phasing plan that the contractor and district developed to shorten the schedule.

Aylsworth said the early childhood center project — which the team began in February 2024 — wrapped construction work in August and is now at about 97% completion as subs finish required paperwork for final billing. "Schedule-wise we're a little over halfway done," he said of the combined program, and added the team expects to wrap the early childhood work "by the end of the year, if not sooner." Emily told the board the contractor is working through final billing and documentation from subcontractors before issuing final invoices.

At Thomas Jefferson Middle School, the contractor reported an 18-month acceleration plan that reduced an originally three-summer scope into continuous work spanning one school year and the prior spring. Emily said crews completed corridor floor demo and polishing during nights this spring to reduce summer shutdowns, renovated classrooms and lobbies over the summer, and are converting the existing media center into six classrooms. "Originally, we thought we'd be done with those around Christmas and we're actually ahead of schedule — I'm going to be able to turn those over around Thanksgiving," she said.

Photos shown to the board included new terrazzo floors in front lobbies, updated classrooms with new flooring and casework, renovated restrooms with epoxy floors and partitions, and additions with roofs and mechanical systems installed. Emily said the next steps include brickwork and window installation on the new additions, drywall and casework installation in newly drywalled classrooms, and locker-room renovations after basketball season. The addition at the middle school is scheduled for completion in February, with final project wrap currently targeted for next August.

Work at Lewis and Clark will follow a similar phasing next summer and will include kitchen work and canopy replacements, Emily said. The Jeff City Academic Center project began demolition and abatement two weeks prior to the meeting and is expected to finish by May 1, according to the contractor.

Aylsworth acknowledged that billing is running behind but said the contractor expects to catch up. A board member praised contractor crews for their on-site assistance to staff and teachers during the summer transition, saying, "They did not cut corners... the product they've produced is definitely top notch." Aylsworth and Emily credited district leadership and subs for coordination that kept projects on schedule.

No new contract awards or change-order dollar amounts were presented during the update. Board members asked no follow-up policy votes during the presentation and the meeting moved on to other agenda items.