Board approves Paragon architecture contract; district moves forward with facilities master plan and bond survey

The School District of Clayton Board of Education approved a contract with Paragon Architecture — with Perkins and Will named as a design collaborator — to provide architectural services for an academic wing addition at Clayton High School and renovation or reconstruction work at the district’s three elementary schools.

John, a district representative, told the board the contract had been negotiated with legal review and that key issues addressed included code compliance, limits on professional liability and fee adjustments tied to construction cost drivers. “This document has had many changes,” John said, summarizing the negotiation process; the board approved the contract on a voice vote with no recorded opposition.

Earlier in the meeting, the board received a presentation from Excellence K‑12 (survey vendor) on a planned random‑digit‑dial telephone survey the district will run to assess public support for potential bond projects. Rick, the vendor representative, told the board the survey will call 300 people and will be weighted to match the district population; he said that approach yields a roughly 5.6 percent margin of error. “We’re going to do a random digit telephone survey of 300 individuals,” Rick said.

Rick described the survey’s sections: brand (district perception), civic mindedness, detailed project questions for up to four candidate projects, tax‑tolerance measures framed as dollar impact on an owner of an average home, communications channels, and demographics. The firm also will run companion online surveys for staff, parents and the general public; the phone calls will begin about Sept. 12 and conclude Sept. 26, with initial results due to the district the week of Sept. 29 and an executive summary around Oct. 3.

Board members asked about the sample (registered voters vs. likely voters) and the firm noted its practice of using random digit dialing to provide a projectable, balanced sample; one board member cautioned the community’s turnout patterns on bond years may differ from other jurisdictions.

District officials said the facilities master‑plan process will include multiple community workshops this fall, concept designs from the architect team, and a phone and online survey to collect resident input before the board decides next steps. The board has prioritized elementary school work, a Clayton High School CTE addition, and athletic fields as initial focus areas for the long‑range plan.

No bond measure was placed on the ballot at the meeting; the presentations and contracts position the district to develop options and pricing as community engagement continues.