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Board hears bond update: Bayport land negotiations and Oakland Middle School designs
Summary
District staff updated the board on a land purchase for Bayport Elementary’s outdoor classroom and on design renderings for Oakland Middle School’s 30,000‑sq‑ft addition and remodel; staff said the Bayport trail meets ADA requirements but city and church concerns about drop‑off are being negotiated.
District facilities staff briefed the board on two bond-funded projects: a negotiated land purchase for Bayport Elementary and schematic designs for Oakland Middle School.
Bayport: staff told the board they entered a letter of intent and negotiated a purchase agreement with the church owning the parcel (identified in the presentation as "Synchrony United Church") to create an outdoor classroom adjacent to the playground and trail system. The site plan places the outdoor classroom near the playground and bus loop; staff said the trail meets statutory ADA requirements but acknowledged public comment at the Bayport planning commission raising concerns about the length and slope from a proposed drop‑off to the outdoor classroom. Facilities staff said the district is working with the city and the church to resolve drop‑off and parking options while keeping the emergency access loop free of regular traffic.
Oakland Middle School: Wold Architects and district staff showed renderings for approximately 30,000 square feet of additions (six classrooms and two science labs) and a two‑station gym that will include a storm shelter sized to code. Plans call for converting most of the current gym into a new media center with flexible group spaces, adding a new music room, expanding student services and creating two site‑based classrooms for the district’s CIP/autism program. The design includes a connection to city water and sewer (transitioning away from the site’s current well and septic), revised queuing and parent pickup options to relieve pressure on Manning (a county road), and exterior materials intended to tie the addition to the existing building.
Schedule and next steps: construction documents are being finalized, bids are expected to open after the new year, additions would begin the next summer with interior remodel work following, and the district’s goal is to complete the project and tie systems together by summer 2026. Staff said certain technical items (for example irrigation and exact septic/well decommissioning) remain to be determined with the city.
Board members asked about ADA access, emergency‑vehicle access, acoustical treatment for new music spaces and construction phasing during school occupancy; architects described acoustical planning and a phased schedule to minimize disruption.
Next steps: continue coordination with the city and church on Bayport details, finalize construction documents and post bids; staff will return to the board with follow‑up information.
