South Washington County Schools board hears summer construction progress, district says projects remain on budget

At its Aug. 21 business meeting, the South Washington County Schools Board received a summer construction update on the district’s 2023 bond projects covering five of seven active sites and logistics families should expect for the start of school.

Assistant Superintendent Tyrone Brookins, who introduced the presentation, said the overall bond project budget is $200,000,000 and that district spending is “on track” while staff absorbed several required changes. “When we went out for the bond, we did not know of the required storm shelter that has to be put in … so we had to make sure we pull that in,” Brookins said.

The update, presented by Alexander “Alex” Slocum, the district’s pro construction project manager, walked the board through site-specific work and temporary access plans that will affect arrival and pickup at several schools. “There’s a new temporary entrance at the activity center,” Slocum said, describing traffic flow at multiple sites.

Key site notes

- East Ridge High School: The project includes a previously planned addition intended to increase capacity to about 2,300 students, a cafeteria expansion, and new CTE/STEAM and robotics spaces. Completed work includes demolition for a new activities entrance, interior renovations, a new freezer…