Westonka board hears phased timeline for high school renovation; district aims to open classrooms by fall

Jason, a construction representative with KA, updated the Westonka Public School District Board of Education on the phased renovation of Westonka High School, outlining an eight-phase plan that prioritizes classroom turnover and staggers corridor and media-center work to reduce next-summer congestion.

KA's presentation said Phase 1 classroom additions have slabs poured and exterior framing beginning; the contractor described the Phase 1 classroom area as scheduled for turnover in November. Phase 2 remains the project's critical path and includes additional classroom finishes (painting, flooring, casework and door installation) the team expects to complete before students return this fall.

The contractor said some stairwells and a north entrance could be turned over sooner if recent shop drawings and coordination permit, which would reduce corridor traffic in winter and for events. Until the north entrance is available, school access will be through the cafeteria and courtyard for students and events, the contractor said.

Phase 3 (administration area) currently runs into February under the plan; Phase 4 work is slated to begin in September and run through December 2025. The media center (Phase 5) is scheduled for January–August, with related corridor sequencing (Phase 8) to be taken in sections through the school year so classrooms remain accessible.

The contractor described options for doing the main corridor in halves — removing and replacing tile on one side while maintaining traffic on the other — and said that opening additional stairwells would help divert foot traffic and ease corridor work. Phase 6 (gym, storm shelter and courtyard work) was planned to begin over spring break and run through Aug. 15 to accommodate fall sports, the contractor said; Phase 7—major next-summer work—includes large areas to be taken at once and will require careful sequencing of mechanical and electrical systems.

District staff and board members asked for a clear, publicly shareable phasing schedule so staff, students and families know how construction will affect access and routines. Board members said they want improvements to dates where possible and praised the team for producing a plan that can be shared with families. The district said temporary walls, sealed doorways and contained construction zones will be used to separate active work from occupied spaces; noisy activities will be scheduled outside class time where feasible.

Contractors reported that the water-main and playground work should be wrapped up by the end of the week and that some parking-lot repairs may occur in spring depending on scope. Staff said final cleaning, fixture installation and punch-list work are underway in spaces scheduled for near-term turnover, and the district announced a planned grand-opening during homecoming week (a Wednesday reception and a 5 p.m. tennis-courts event) to showcase completed areas.

Board members and administrators stressed safety and careful communication for the start of school, noting portable/temporary classrooms have been located away from the north end to limit noise and disruption. The district also said it will continue coordinating site logistics (deliveries, temporary handrails, access routes) with contractors to keep classrooms available and maintain safe pathways for students and staff.

The contractor and district staff committed to ongoing updates and to trying to accelerate particular turn-overs such as stairwells and the north entry where constructability and shop approvals allow.