District outlines capital projects, secures $395,000 grant and reports small enrollment dip
Summary
Operations and administrative staff reported ongoing capital projects and procurement awards; the district secured a Stronger Connection subgrant (~$395,000) to support parent mental-health resources and crisis positions, and reported enrollment of 4,213 vs. 4,357 last year (a decline of about 144 students).
Operations and administrative services staff updated the board on capital projects and a new state grant while reporting a modest enrollment decline compared with the same point last year.
Operations Director Thomas Barr listed completed and active facilities projects, including a Chester High School baseball dugout project (about $147,000), Lewisville High stadium storage (about $13,090.96) and playground canopies at Great Falls Elementary ($27,816). Barr also said the district recently awarded RFQs for architecture and engineering and construction-at-risk contracts to a set of firms including McMillan, Parson & Smith, Craig, Golden & Davis, Edifice Construction and Lightner Construction. He reported that a guaranteed maximum price for the Louisville Elementary stacking-lane project is expected within about a month and that mobile classroom units at Louisville received occupancy certification following a water-sample review by the state fire marshal and OSF.
Administrative Services Director Hezekiah Massey announced the district was selected for a Stronger Connection subgrant from the state, with requested funds totaling about $395,000. He said the grant will primarily support parent-facing mental-health resources (an on‑demand counseling platform), crisis-management staffing (three positions, one per attendance zone) and training to support student behavior and social‑emotional needs. Massey said final grant guidelines and spending parameters will be provided by the state and shared with the board when available.
Massey reported current enrollment of 4,213 students compared with 4,357 at the same point last year (a decline of roughly 144 students), and he reminded trustees the state uses the 45th and 135th instructional-day counts for funding. He said enrollment may change in the weeks following Labor Day as families move and register students.
Chair and trustees thanked staff for the updates and asked staff to present total project roll-ups and guaranteed maximum prices when available so the board can see full project costs beyond initial estimates.
