Kirkwood board approves five‑year maintenance plan; natatorium, Tillman playground and Turner work prioritized

The Kirkwood R‑VII School Board voted Dec. 15 to seek bids for the district’s 2026–27 five‑year maintenance plan, which prioritizes major repairs and accessibility upgrades across campuses.

Mister Cook, presenting the plan, said the district is requesting approval to spend from the maintenance fund (presentation referenced roughly $3.285 million from the FY27 maintenance fund) to cover several projects. The two largest maintenance‑fund projects highlighted were work at Walker Natatorium — including replastering the pool surface and rebuilding the pool’s dehumidification “pool pack” — and a replacement playground at Tillman Elementary to address accessibility (ADA) and frequent closures caused by flooding. The natatorium pool‑pack rebuild was estimated in the presentation at approximately $1,250,000.

Cook said additional operating‑fund projects would include roof work for the North Gym at Nipper and window, ceiling and tuckpointing work at the Turner Building (the Turner work estimated at about $400,000, paid from operating funds). He explained that some operating‑fund projects are funded by revenues from a prior voluntary rollback change tied to Prop I, which were placed into facility accounts for one‑time projects.

Board members raised questions about whether Tillman’s flooding is tied to prior Prop R work and whether project grading/engineering should be reviewed for accountability. Members also asked about ADA compliance and the district’s criteria for prioritizing projects; administration said priorities are set by urgency to maintain long‑term viability and student access. Officials agreed to review past design work and to prioritize equity across playground projects.

After discussion the board voted to approve the request to seek bids for the maintenance plan.