District updates facilities projects; approves removal of 25 modular trailers at Kings Highway

District architects and construction managers provided a multi‑site facilities progress report to the Operations Committee on June 10 and the committee recommended several items to the full board.

David Schrader, the projects architect, and Matt Kelly from construction management firm ICS summarized active construction: Scott Middle School (interior demo, new floors and roofing), the new Doe Run Elementary (foundation and underground work), Reesville Elementary addition (roofing, windows and MEP rough‑in largely complete), and the North Brandywine phase 1 addition (drywall, interior build‑out) that will provide interim capacity while the full North Brandywine replacement project is planned and bid. Schrader described design intent, site circulation improvements and a multi‑year construction schedule for the new North Brandywine project and the Kings Highway renovation. Kings Highway will replace modular classrooms with a six‑classroom addition, renovate interior finishes and replace an aging front portico.

The operations committee voted to recommend to the full board an agreement with Acer’s Trailer Sales for the removal of 25 modular units at Kings Highway at no cost to the district; three modulars in acceptable condition will be salvaged for temporary administrative use. Committee members asked whether salvageable items were removed; staff said district personnel had cleared usable furniture and equipment from modulars prior to removal. The operations committee also recommended that a proposed contract for custodial services and a set of change orders and proposals for construction work proceed to the full board.

Committee members discussed the natatorium lighting work at the senior high school. Staff said bids will open June 23 and that work will require special scaffolding and that the pool likely must be drained to access ceiling fixtures safely; the district will require contractors to protect the pool liner during the work. A separate change order was approved at the committee level for Reesville’s circuit integrity cable installation in the amount of $28,056.29 and other change orders for roofing and site permits were recommended to the full board as consent items.

Board members asked for assurances about how district storage and surplus items were handled and whether salvaged items were inventoried; district staff said prior excess material and equipment in closed buildings had required disposal and that remaining useful furniture had been cleaned and put into district storage for reuse. Several committee members said they want clearer processes to avoid long‑term hoarding of unused materials in closed school buildings in future projects.