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Smithville R-II bond projects moving forward amid $136,000 masonry bracing surprise
Summary
Board members heard a construction update on high school demolition and rebuilding; district leaders reported an unanticipated $136,000 masonry-bracing expense and said bids for the next package are scheduled for December with board approval expected mid-December.
The Smithville R-II Board of Education on Tuesday received an update on the district’s bond-funded construction work, including demolition at the high school and the start of steel-footing installation for the new building.
Dr. Collins, who led the bond-project briefing, said crews have progressed through package 0 and are close to completing masonry bracing. “It was a $136,000 of expense that we weren’t expecting in this bond project,” Dr. Collins said, and he described masonry bracing as an unplanned but necessary step to protect the gym and central commons during demolition.
Josh Cowell of New Curtin Novak, the district’s project representative, detailed site work at the high school: masonry repairs beneath the gym stairs, temporary walls and waterproofing, partial slab demolition, excavation of about 24 inches of subgrade for foundations and bracing, and removal of the media center. Cowell said the team has started the building pad work and will follow with foundations as weather and schedule allow.
Cowell also said the district had issued package 2 to roughly 20–22 trade contractors and intends to hold bid day in December, with an anticipated board approval of contracts by mid-December. He noted a localized rock condition outside the planned area that will be discussed with Mammoth (the contractor) to determine impacts on schedule and cost.
Board members asked for clarification about the gym bracing. A member noted the structural issue became visible “when you ripped open the walls,” and Cowell confirmed the job will include reinforcing corners to support safe demo of the central commons.
Dr. Collins and Cowell characterized the masonry framing as an unexpected, material cost but said the work is progressing and that salvaged lighting poles and other recoveries may offset future needs. The board treated the update as informational and moved on to other agenda items.
