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Williamston schools outline bond work: lockers, tennis courts, phased softball upgrade and phone-system plan
Summary
Superintendent Adam briefed the board on progress for bond-funded projects, saying Christman Company’s contract will go to the board on Jan. 6 and giving timelines for tennis courts, locker replacements, a two-phase softball project and a district phone-system replacement.
Superintendent Adam said the district is moving forward on multiple bond projects and expects the construction-manager contract with Christman Company to be on the board agenda Jan. 6.
The board was shown architectural drawings for first-phase work that includes new lockers at the middle and high schools and tennis courts scheduled to start May 14, with construction expected to take about 90 days, Adam said. High-school lockers will be a double-stack design similar to the newer athletic wing; middle-school lockers will be deeper and wider so students can store Chromebook cases.
Softball field work has been split into two phases to accelerate portions of the project. Adam said the first phase, planned for summer/fall, will replace the infield with proper drainage, add an Americans with Disabilities Act–compliant walking path from the parking lot to the field, and construct dugouts; the home dugout is designed as a two-story structure that will serve as a coach’s room and a press box. The second phase, planned for summer 2026, would add concessions, restrooms and storage. Adam said the phased approach was intended to reduce rain-related cancellations and to deliver usable field improvements sooner.
The district is also beginning initial design work for the new Explorer Elementary; Adam said planning meetings will ramp up in February–March. Several other bond tasks are being handled internally to save consultant fees, he said, including band instrument purchases, maintenance equipment and classroom-furniture upgrades. Deb LaFleur and Steve Delt are leading classroom-furniture vendor work; the district has been piloting samples and working with multiple vendors including a Steelcase showcase visit in Ann Arbor.
Adam also warned the board that the phone-system replacement will require additional network infrastructure (recabling) not included in the original bond scope. He said the district will likely pay for that upgrade from the sinking fund and possibly draw from fund balance; James Doyan is expected to provide more detailed options to the board in March.
Board members asked about summer youth use of fields during construction; Adam said the timeline remains subject to change and the district will communicate scheduling details to youth organizations once dates are firm. He said work to refine fence heights, shade structures and other “granular details” is ongoing and that weather will affect schedules.
No formal vote was taken on the projects at this meeting; Adam said the Christman Company contract will be presented to the board for formal approval on Jan. 6.
