Tipp City schools: bus maintenance garage cleared for occupancy; renovations remain on budget

A staff member (Speaker 5) told the Tipp City Exempted Village Schools board during its work session that the new operation center, referred to as the bus maintenance garage, passed inspections and currently has occupancy, though punch-list work remains. "Everything passed, so we have occupancy right now," Speaker 5 said.

Speaker 5 said moving-in was planned for Thursday but was delayed slightly; buses are expected to start using the new facility once punch-list items are completed. The board was told demolition, abatement and removal of underground and above-ground storage tanks at the old bus garage are expected to begin around January as permits are filed with the city.

On other projects, Speaker 5 said the guaranteed maximum price for the PKA building came in under budget after upgrades, and that high school renovation design documents are being completed with bid timing anticipated after the holidays. "Right now, we had DD documents that came back with an estimate. So we're just right at budget on everything," Speaker 5 said. The planned work includes HVAC upgrades to variable-air-volume (VAV) boxes and a new gym/theater roof.

Board members asked operational questions about the new road and the official front entrance; Speaker 5 said cameras and access points will be relocated to support the new entrance and anticipated that traffic distribution would improve. No formal action or votes were taken on construction items during the meeting.

The board will receive further updates as permits are issued and as bidders are selected for the renovation work.