District reports construction progress across new and renovated schools; arbitrage liability estimated at roughly $1.5 million

Jason, speaking for district facilities and bond management at the Aug. 11 Ralston Public Schools Board meeting, reported widespread completion of major bond-funded work and outlined remaining items and cost considerations.

Jason said the new high school gym is in use, rooftop HVAC units are operating, lockers and the weight room are complete, and daycare rooms were finished. He described remaining punch-list and touch-up work the construction teams expect to complete through December and said work will slow significantly once the school year is underway.

Other project status items Jason reported: the parking lot is complete except for landscaping; sod and irrigation work at the main entrance were expected imminently; hall tile, stair treads and safety items had largely been finished; the RMS punch list is nearly complete and Seymour roof flashing work remained to be finished. Mockingbird, Wildwood, Bloomfield and Karen Western projects were described as substantially complete with some small adjustments to finalize.

On costs, Jason said the district still had about $3.5 million under contract and that additional roofing and final contract payments remain pending. He told the board the district expects an arbitrage payment that will be due back to the federal government; the district’s current estimate for that liability is roughly $1.5 million. Jason said the board will see a more exact arbitrage calculation at an upcoming meeting.

Jason described a plan to present a “menu” of facility priorities at a board retreat the following Monday with limited presentation time and extended question-and-answer discussion so board members can prioritize further work. He said earlier credits and agreed-value arrangements with partners reduced some architectural fees and that the district might seek further in-kind planning in exchange for tax-credit benefits if the board elects to pursue additional central-office renovations.

Superintendent Buckingham and board members discussed the sequencing of roofing projects and the opportunity to take multiple projects in a single future summer to capture efficiencies.

No formal vote was taken on new projects during the meeting; the board was scheduled to discuss prioritization and next steps at a planned retreat.