District reports New Garden and Greenwood projects on schedule; district office expansion bids awarded

Facilities staff told the board that major construction milestones are on schedule at two elementary projects and reported shortages and backorders affecting some high-school work.

At New Garden Elementary School the report noted completion of spray-foam insulation in exterior Areas A and B, gas-line installation from the street to the building, and a 35-kilovolt cable pulled from the utility pole to a new transformer vault; plumbing rough-ins, brick veneer installation, door-frame installation and CMU (concrete masonry unit) work were in progress. Metal stud framing, drywall, sprinkler rough-ins and cabling for fire-alarm and PA systems were also underway.

At Greenwood Elementary School the old garage has been demolished, underground electric and plumbing beneath the building pads are complete, structural steel and decking are in place and CMU and slab-pouring continue in multiple zones. Facilities staff said both Greenwood and New Garden remain on time.

At Kennett High School, the report noted a TV-studio lighting shipment is on back order and the auditorium is awaiting a projection screen and parts; some corridor lighting upgrades and exterior lighting near gym entrances were completed to improve safety. The Bancroft projection screen has been replaced.

Regarding the district office expansion and renovation, administration described the project as two phases: a west-side addition to consolidate business and human-resources functions, then renovation of the existing building to create permanent office space. The board later awarded the construction contracts (see votes-at-a-glance). Administration estimated mobilization within about a month and a roughly one-year schedule.

Facilities staff said flyover videos and renderings of New Garden and Greenwood are available on the district website for public review.