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 in the kitchen and a temporary activities center entrance. Slocum said the district installed a new south-side parking lot and a two-way access on the north end of the parking lot that will remain in place after construction.

- Altman (middle) school: The addition is intended to increase capacity to roughly 1,300 students, expand the cafeteria and kitchen, and add STEM and special-education spaces. Slocum said precast panels and foundations are in place and temporary walls have been installed; the former parent drop-off lane is closed for the duration of construction and drop-off will run through the parking loop.

- Woodbury Middle School: Work includes infilling the old pool to create multipurpose space, a new secured entry and relocation of main offices, and a new bus-only drive lane that Slocum said is about 95% complete. Slocum told the board the intent is to keep bus and car circulation segregated at the site level; he cautioned staff cannot control drivers who ignore directions.

- Park High School: Renovations consolidate student services, relocate the main office into the old lecture hall and expand CTE space. Slocum said footings and curbs are poured, new pavement and a temporary bus road behind the ICE Arena will be used for afternoon pickup, and Phase 1 classrooms should be ready for the school year. Superintendent Brookins said the new administrative offices are “functional” and being finished with ceilings, flooring and furniture.

- Woodbury High School: The project includes a new cafeteria and kitchen, additional CTE/STEAM space, a secure entry and student services wing, and media center renovation. Slocum said temporary walls and activity-center entrances are in place and footings for the new addition are being poured.

- Lake Middle School and Cottage Grove Middle School: Both sites have temporary main entrances established at their activity centers, temporary fencing and temporary walls at old main entrances. Slocum said student drop-off lanes remain essentially the same as last year and the district posted signage at the sites.

Other program notes and schedule

Brookins said the district made several unplanned changes during construction: the addition of required storm shelters, public-safety radio enhancements at one site, and a turn lane at Park High School that was not part of the original plan. He told the board that discussions about tariffs and staffing shortages had not affected the work to date, adding, “there has been no impact with tariffs at this point” and that staffing on sites appears sufficient.

Brookins also said the district is beginning design and planning for the second phase of the bond, listing three elementary sites that will go out for bid: Grey Cloud, Pine Hill and Bailey. He encouraged patience from families during drop-off and pickup and said principals and athletic directors will receive and distribute safety maps. “If I had to stress anything, I would stress that families, please be patient with us, especially with drop off and pick up, and please follow staff directions,” Brookins said.

On a scheduling question about local road closures affecting access to East Ridge, Slocum told a board member that the roundabout and related closures “will be open on the thirtieth.” The transcript does not specify the month in that exchange; the remark occurred during the Aug. 21 meeting.

Where to find more information

Brookins said the district has posted construction updates and images online and that principals will share site-specific safety maps with families. He directed listeners to the district’s construction information on its website for schedules and site maps.

Ending

The presentation closed with an invitation for board members to ask site-specific questions; the board then moved on to action items on the meeting agenda.