Board hears ESSER and SAVE construction update: asbestos largely removed, gym floor and HVAC punch lists remain

Burlington Community School District staff updated the board on June 30 on the status of ESSER and SAVE-funded construction projects, reporting major milestones reached and several remaining punch-list and change-order items.

"I'll cover ESSER, Will will cover SAVE," the presenter said at the start of the construction update, and then described progress across multiple trades, contract closeouts and outstanding work. Staff told the board one prime contractor's closeout is nearly complete and that only a few items remain before final contract closure.

Asbestos abatement was described as about 95% complete: district staff said all accessible drywall, vinyl asbestos flooring and exposed pipe insulation that could be removed for the project had been addressed, but concealed asbestos in walls and other buried locations was left in place because removal would have required destructive work not scoped for this project. "It's not 100%, but it's probably 95 plus is out," the presenter said.

The electrical package for the ESSER work has closed; HVAC work remains in commissioning and punch-list phases and was described as "very slow, but we're making some progress." Staff reported they had increased construction meetings to every one to two weeks to accelerate punch-list completion as the project approaches closeout.

A key remaining element is the high school gym floor. Contractors found the slab out of level after removing the old floor. Staff said a leveling operation will begin with a concrete fill pour averaging approximately 7/8 inch across the gym to provide a flat platform for the new gym floor system. The district confirmed the timeline allows the gym to be available for play by Sept. 15, though final painting and seal coats will follow curing and are expected after the school year opens. The district also plans a ribbon-cutting for the full school renovation on Aug. 12; staff cautioned some finish work and painting will continue after initial occupancy.

Staff also described a batch of change-order items being negotiated, including LED lighting replacements to extend upgraded fixtures across roughly two-thirds of the building so far; the remaining one-third is being added as a contract modification. Because the added work effectively extends contract scope and schedule, staff said they are negotiating retainage-release language with the contractor to avoid holding the entire retainage for another year.

On roofs, staff reported targeted testing and repairs confirmed the gym roof itself was not the source of recent interior leaks; the district said leaking piping under the roof had been replaced and the roof drains over the gym floor were replaced as a precaution. The district said the gym has a dedicated ventilation unit for finishes and that odor-control measures have been planned for the finishing work.

Several contract closeouts remain, and staff said some smaller enhancement items — for example, lighting upgrades in certain CTE spaces and some finishing touches — may be deferred into the fall as resources and scheduling permit. District staff said they had added a superintendent-level site superintendent and another full-time superintendent from the contractor to accelerate closeout work.

The board heard staff say the construction effort is nearing completion but that several open items must be completed before final contract closeouts and retainage release. The board approved the ESSER and SAVE monthly status report by voice vote at the meeting, and staff said they expect to return with finalized change orders and cost reconciliations as needed.