Chatham Park opens; Coopertown additions advance as board reviews construction progress

District facilities staff gave the board a construction update on Oct. 9, saying the Chatham Park project has opened for school and the Coopertown renovations and additions are moving into the above‑ground phase.

Facilities director Miss Widerman introduced the update; project manager Ken and architect Jeff provided details. Ken said Chatham Park received its certificate of occupancy in August, opened for the start of school, and that "they're probably about 80%" complete on punch‑list items as contractors finish touchups. He said the kitchen became fully operational about one-and-a-half to two weeks before the meeting and the gym floor installation was expected to be complete within roughly two weeks.

Ken told the board the district continues to hold final contract payments until punch‑list work and paperwork are complete. He said the district has been transferring contingency funds between projects, and that after reviewing change orders and costs he expected about $20,000–$30,000 remaining in the transferred contingency but that nearly all of the contingency is expected to be spent as the closeout proceeds.

On Coopertown, staff reported foundations for three additions are complete and steel is scheduled to be delivered the week after the meeting; the goal is to make the additions enclosed and weather‑tight within about six to eight weeks. Facilities staff described a phased plan to move classroom functions in stages—one move in the spring and then additional summer work—to minimize disruption and limit the number of times students and staff must relocate. The front addition work at Oakmont (the district administration/tax window area) includes a secure vestibule and a pass‑through tax window to improve public transactions.

Budget details presented to the board included a $400,000 transfer of contingency funds from Coopertown to Chatham Park earlier in the program; staff reported that figure as effectively used in the Chatham closeout and said Coopertown still had a reported contingency balance "just shy of $850,000" after accounting for prior budgeting moves and project adjustments. Facilities staff characterized those figures as part of ongoing closeout accounting and change‑order review.

Board members thanked staff and community members noted positive reactions during Haverford Township Day; one board member noted students were eager for the gym to open. Staff said the middle school cafeteria addition received occupancy in August and remains in contract closeout phase.

Ending: Facilities staff said they will return as work progresses and will present final closeout documents when punch lists and paperwork are complete. The board was told the Coopertown phasing is designed to limit student disruption and that the district remains comfortable with the current schedule and contingency posture.