District says elementary build on track; survey work under way at former Discover site
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Summary
Superintendent Sawyers told the board the elementary-school project is moving toward a guaranteed maximum price and construction could begin around February; survey work on the former Discover site (city‑owned) is underway ahead of a likely early‑2026 lease recommendation.
Superintendent Sawyers updated the New Albany‑Plain Local Board of Education on Dec. 8 about the district’s campus master plan, focusing on the planned elementary school and a parcel known as the former Discover site.
Sawyers said architects and engineers are finalizing information needed to present a guaranteed maximum price for the elementary school; if approved, construction could begin around February and is expected to take 18 to 24 months depending on scope. The board previously cleared the project through the ARB, and Sawyers said the district is now working with the city on permitting requirements.
On the former Discover site, which is now city‑owned, survey work has resumed after a weather delay. Sawyers said he expects to bring an anticipated lease recommendation to the board in early 2026 once survey results and input from the city and the district’s design partner (MKSK) are complete.
Sawyers characterized the work as "slow and steady," with more detailed schedule and cost information to be presented to the board in January.