Trailhead Learning Center nears completion; district outlines move and screening plans

Contractors and district staff told the Yankton School District 63-3 Board of Education that the Trailhead Learning Center (TLC) construction is approaching completion and that the district is preparing a phased move and community orientation schedule.

Mark Sontay and Brent Osler, project manager and site superintendent for the general contractor, gave the board a construction progress report. They said finishes, mechanical start-up and the final food-service equipment installations were under way and that the project team expected to complete most work by the end of the month, with punch-list items and final furniture installation to follow.

Osler, who has served on-site for 18½ months, thanked the district and community and described the work of subcontractors. The contractor reported that furniture delivery was complete and that assembly crews would unpack and install classroom and commons furnishings in late January and early February. The architects will inspect furniture and finishes during closeout.

District administrators described preparations for staff orientation and public events once the building is furnished. Planned activities included staff in-service and norm-setting sessions, a dedication ceremony on Thursday, April 24 at 9:30 a.m., community tours scheduled in 30-minute blocks, and on-site junior-kindergarten and kindergarten screenings. The district mapped a phased moving plan for spring: moving some Webster School grades to Stewart School, relocating preschool and some special education programs to Trailhead, and staging larger moves during in-service days and the last week of school.

No new budgetary approvals or contract modifications were requested at the meeting. The board and staff discussed supports for staff and students through the transition, including joint assemblies, social events and joint MTSS meetings to ease the move between buildings.