District updates Percy Julian high school schedule, South Lawn completion targets and minority‑contractor participation

Montgomery Public Schools officials provided project-by-project construction updates during the board’s work session, reporting progress on the new Percy Julian High School, the recently completed Park Crossing Field House and the near-complete South Lawn Middle School project.

Volkert project manager Miss Penn told trustees Percy Julian High School is in the early site and foundation phase with an overall schedule showing modest progress and a projected substantial completion date in December 2027. Penn said site grading and building pad preparation are underway, foundation footings will begin soon, and crews are working on ponds and site drainage. "We will start excavation and pouring of the foundation footings starting next week," she said.

The Park Crossing field house reached substantial completion on July 28; punch‑list work and final interior finishes are being completed and athletic flooring contractors were finishing logos and other final touches. South Lawn Middle School, the presenter said, was about 86% complete with the district pressing the general contractor to meet a targeted turnover date of Sept. 24. Key outstanding items at South Lawn include gym flooring installation, storefront doors and remaining interior ceiling and corridor finishes.

Earlier in the meeting, the district presented Change Order No. 1 for the South Lawn Middle gym addition, citing a mix of no-cost adjustments for utility revisions and some cost items — including termite treatment and a new MDF closet for IT/infrastructure. Facilities staff said the project remains "well under budget, approximately $1,600,000 under the budget allotted for this project." Mr. Anderson described the structural beam revisions and the addition of the MDF closet as driven by evolving design needs and infrastructure requirements.

Board members asked about wetlands, retention ponds and potential mosquito issues at the Percy Julian site. Miss Penn said the largest pond on the site is a wetland and that it will not be disturbed, while a smaller retention pond is being reworked and will receive further site work. Penn said the contractor is cutting and hauling soil to build up pads and to ensure finished elevations that will resist flooding. "We feel confident that we've got it finished out elevation," she said, in response to trustee concerns about flooding and standing water.

Trustees also questioned minority-, women- and disadvantaged-business-enterprise (MBE/DBE) participation on construction contracts. Penn said professional services MBEDBE participation stood at about 45% while the district's current construction subcontractor participation was much lower — "we're only averaging right now 1%" — mainly because the district contracts with the general contractor and the general contractor selects major trade subs. The district said it is continuing efforts to identify vetted minority subcontractors for GCs to consider and will provide references to improve participation as Percy Julian work advances.

Project clarifying details provided to the board included: Percy Julian projected completion December 2027; Park Crossing field house achieved substantial completion July 28; South Lawn targeted turnover Sept. 24 subject to GC execution of punch list; and a reported approximate $1.6 million underrun for the South Lawn project relative to its originally allotted budget. Facilities staff also said some track and turf installations have been delayed by summer rains and required substrate repairs.

District staff and the architect committed to follow up on questions about pond management and mosquito mitigation and to continue outreach to increase MBEDBE participation among trade contractors.

Board members and staff plan to continue monthly construction updates as projects progress.