Bond projects on schedule and on budget, district says; Bayport, Lake Elmo, Oakland and high-school security work outlined

Mark, a district construction presenter, gave the board a summer construction update on bond-funded projects and said work on elementary, middle and high-school projects remains on time and on budget.

Bayport and Lake Elmo elementary projects: Mark said crews have finished footings and foundations and are installing steel structures and precast planks; stormwater ponds and site seeding are in place. He said Bayport’s design uses a “river” motif and Lake Elmo uses a “prairie” motif. Bayport’s building was described as sized for about 600 students; Lake Elmo’s building was described as about 1,100 students. He said gym construction uses precast plank (storm shelters) and steel structures depending on design requirements.

Roadwork and utilities at Lake Elmo: Work at the Tenth Street and Lake Elmo Avenue intersection includes widening for turn lanes for parent pickup and bus access, added utility connections (power, water, fiber) and temporary lighting. Mark said the county plans a permanent roundabout in 2028; the district is installing temporary lighting that will be removed when the county project proceeds.

Oakland Middle School: Summer work completed a new parking/queuing layout intended to move vehicle queuing onto the school site away from Manning Avenue. Additions include six classroom spaces, two science rooms and two full-size gyms; the district plans to convert the current gym into a media center and add a music room. Mark said the district aims to get city sewer and water hooked up by the fall (around MEA) and to have the new gym completed roughly by spring break to allow internal remodeling over the following summer.

High school and district security: Mark showed the completed high-school entryway project (about an 800-square-foot addition and improved sight lines) and described upcoming security upgrades district-wide: security strobes in spaces where announcements are hard to hear, an update to radio/walkie-talkie communications, and camera upgrades. Those three bid packages are expected this fall.

Schedule and budget: Mark said all bond projects were on schedule and on budget at the time of the presentation. He pointed board members to monthly construction updates and drone footage on the district’s bond-projects web pages for photo and video progress.

Recognition: Mark singled out facilities employee Tony Wilger for work coordinating buildings and bond projects.

Ending: Board members praised the high-school entryway work and the project teams; no changes to project scope or budget were reported at this meeting.