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Construction and Prop S upgrades wrap up across Webster Groves schools; some work to finish after start of classes
Summary
District operations staff provided a detailed construction update Aug. 14 outlining Prop S and capital projects at nearly every building, highlighting an ADA‑accessible playscape at Walter Ambrose, interior safety door upgrades at Avery and HVAC and roof work at Givens and Hudson; a few items remain delayed into the fall.
District operations staff delivered a building‑by‑building construction and facilities report at the Webster Groves School Board meeting on Aug. 14, detailing completed and ongoing work funded by Prop S and other capital funds.
Jacob (last name not provided), who presented the update, said the district used a color and symbol legend to mark Prop S work and other capital projects and flagged items that "might not be completed by the start of school." He described a major playscape project at Walter Ambrose that is ADA accessible and said "the majority of it is gonna be open for Ambrose kiddos on day 1." He noted finishes such as amphitheater seating and a retention basin will be completed through the month.
At Avery, Jacob said interior doors were replaced with hardware that allows doors to lock automatically without a teacher needing to set a deadbolt; the district also added shatterproof film in some entrance glass, upgraded interior and exterior lighting, and addressed waterproofing and basement classroom repairs. Jacob said a window manufacturer delay will hold back one set of window replacements until later in the fall; temporary plywood and sealant are in place now.
At Givens, Jacob reported rooftop HVAC replacements were finished and the rear parking lot was milled and repaved after subgrade work. Edgar Road hosted the district’s summer school this year, limiting some construction access, but the district completed exterior lighting upgrades, gutter work and HVAC modifications in the library that should improve system performance across the building.
Board members asked several operational questions about lighting and site safety. One board member noted bright new exterior lights and asked about off hours; another asked whether internal classroom lights were being left on. The operations team agreed to check lighting schedules and custodial procedures. A member also raised an area behind Ambrose where a steep hill had been fenced and labeled unsafe; Jacob explained that the area is a sinkhole where the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District pumps water from surrounding areas, which complicates any long‑term use of that specific spot.
Presenters credited custodial and operations staff, Rob Stuber, and prop S funding for completing much of the summer work, and thanked taxpayers and donors. Jacob said the district "shoved a lot of construction in a very short period of time" to minimize disruption and acknowledged some last‑minute finish work and cleaning before school opens.
No formal board vote or policy change resulted from the construction update; the presentation was informational.
