District says capital project work largely on track; dance studio expected by mid-December

Representatives from H2M and district construction staff updated the Eastport-South Manor Board of Education on Nov. 19 about phase 1 and phase 2 capital projects, saying most bids have closed and the district is showing about $4,350,000 in favorable variance against the green estimate (approximately 4.8% under budget) on work bid so far.

Tom Sullivan and Dana Anton described completed items—athletic field work and the fitness addition framing and rough-ins—and ongoing closeout tasks at elementary schools, noting that flooring for the new dance room is on-site and the district aims to turnover the dance room in mid-December. When board members asked about winter concrete pours, presenters said the foundation walls and basement slab will be completed before cold weather is expected; they also said contractors are contractually responsible to provide temporary enclosures and curing measures so schedule obligations are met. "We have a testing company on-site pretty much every day right now, just inspecting rebar, inspecting any grout...taking samples," the presenters said when asked how the district verifies concrete quality.

The update also covered rebidding for the electrical scope after receiving no timely bids on the first solicitation; on rebid the district received three bids and planned to present an award recommendation later in the meeting. Board members pressed for clear communications to parents and staff about temporary classroom closures (for example, the high school library will close in December during interior work). The presentation concluded with a reminder that remaining punch-list items and closeout documentation will be collected before projects are closed out.