District 11 approves $5 million transfer and $5.44 million contract modification for Jenkins Middle School repairs

Colorado Springs School District No. 11 on April 9 approved a $5,000,000 transfer from undesignated Certificate of Participation (COP) funds and a $5,441,757 contract modification to begin immediate repairs at Jenkins Middle School, including stabilizing a gym corner and underpinning the media center.

The action came after Superintendent Golgari provided an update on the district’s timeline and operational plans for dislocated Jenkins students. “We are, first of all, very thankful again for the support that we've seen from our students, our staff, our families,” Superintendent Golgari said, and described a plan that aims for partial occupancy in August 2025 and completion of the media center by Dec. 23, 2025.

The budget transfer motion was moved by Director Nelson and approved by the board. The contract modification (C2025-1011-02) covers design-build restoration services for the gym and media center and sets a performance period beginning April 10, 2025, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 23, 2025. District staff and contractors told the board the gym repairs are expected to be finished in time for students to use the space when school reopens in August; media-center work could extend into the first semester.

District staff said the immediate work will include installing micro‑piles to stabilize a settling corner of the gym, cosmetic repairs to address visible cracking, and a structural foundation for the media center to prevent future shifting related to soils adjacent to a creek. The district also plans to place five mobile classrooms on campus before the fall semester to support partial occupancy. Staff described the broader plan as a bifurcated construction approach that will isolate work zones and keep student learning spaces separated from construction areas.

Dr. Humphrey, who spoke to contracting and procurement mechanics, said the board was approving the first modification to an existing feasibility/design‑build contract so construction could proceed on an urgent schedule. Colin Lee of Bridal Construction was present in the audience as staff described the district’s partnership with Bridal Construction and CRP (architecture/engineering) for permitting with the Pikes Peak Regional Building Department and the fire department.

Board members asked about options and cost comparisons between repair and replacement. Director Mills asked whether the district would present multiple cost options; staff replied that geotechnical analyses and early engineering suggested the time and cost of repair were close enough to rebuilding that the district is prioritizing construction of new academic space on the south side of the campus rather than piecemeal repairs to the seventh–eighth grade wing.

The district said transportation and activity plans will return students to Jenkins for athletics and performing-arts activities next school year, and that families will receive additional details at a community town hall scheduled for April 10 at Doherty. Staff also noted a May 14 School Accountability Committee meeting where the project will be discussed again.

The board approved both the $5,000,000 COP transfer and the $5,441,757 contract modification by voice/roll-call vote.

Plans and expenditures will return to the board for further budget requests and approvals as design and cost details are finalized.