Sweet Home district showcases Oak Heights seismic remodel completed over eight-week summer work

Sweet Home School District facilities director Josh Darwood gave the board a video and verbal walk-through showing the district's Oak Heights Elementary modernization, which the district completed over a compressed eight-week summer schedule.

The presentation showed the building before and after demolition and reconstruction: new full‑height windows, replacement HVAC units throughout, seismic upgrades to trusses and corridors, a new steel beam in the library, new siding and roofing, an updated front entry with stamped concrete and ADA ramps, a security vestibule with key‑card access and remodeled classroom and office space. Darwood described extensive demo and reconstruction work and credited contractors and district staff for maintaining the schedule while preparing the building for students.

Why it matters: the project combined seismic strengthening and accessibility upgrades intended to extend the life of the elementary campus and to bring facilities in line with the district's safety and maintenance goals. Board members noted the speed and scope of the work allowed the district to open the remodeled building for students at the start of the school year.

Darwood told the board the project included structural work to "carry that wall" in the new library and described concrete footings, new windows and reinstallation of siding and trim. He said the gym trusses received post‑tension work and that crews poured concrete for a new front plaza and ADA ramps. The video and narration showed crews removing an old concrete safe, reconfiguring the former library into two classrooms and installing short‑throw projectors and LED lighting in classrooms.

Darwood thanked the district maintenance team and named contractors and consultants he said were involved, including Matt James with Gurdine Builders (contractor), Dave McCubbins (contractor team), Sean Smoot with ZCS Engineering and architect representatives. He also credited district administrators and staff for coordinating on the accelerated schedule.

Board discussion and next steps: Superintendent Terry Martin and board members praised the work and the speed of completion. Martin said the district will continue to pursue facility projects and indicated the high school may be the next campus considered for upgrades. "We got kids in school. It's going great, we're having a lot of fun, and the building looks amazing," Darwood said during the presentation.

The board did not take formal action on the Oak Heights presentation; the item functioned as an informational update and a recognition of staff and contractors.