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Gardner-Edgerton board approves $34.9M elementary contract, $5.17M playgrounds; tables communications hire
Summary
The Gardner-Edgerton USD 231 Board of Education on Oct. 13 approved awarding contracts for the new elementary school ($34,894,191) and a district playground renovation package ($5,174,345), upheld a long-term student suspension and tabled hiring a communications specialist pending budget review.
The Gardner-Edgerton Unified School District USD 231 Board of Education approved two major bond-related contract actions and took several personnel and procedural votes at its Oct. 13 meeting.
The board authorized Newkirk Novak Construction Partners to award contracts for elementary bid package 1, covering building trades at the new elementary school, in the total amount of $34,894,191, with construction scheduled to begin in November 2025 and substantial completion expected in spring 2027. Board members were told the bid package attracted strong competition—174 bids across 31 scopes—and staff said the recommended package is coming in under budget.
The board also voted to award a contract to AB Creative for playground renovations at multiple elementary sites and three middle schools in the amount of $5,174,345, with work planned for summer 2026. District staff described accessible surfacing, additional shade structures, and design input from representative stakeholder work groups as part of the proposal.
On personnel and disciplinary matters, trustees voted to uphold a long-term student suspension that had been decided by the district’s suspension hearing earlier in September. The board also approved routine personnel items after an executive-session review.
Trustees discussed but did not immediately approve creating a full-time communications specialist position. Several members said the role could help the district 'market' itself and recover enrollment but expressed concern about timing given an enrollment drop of roughly 180 students. Trustees directed staff to explore options, including part-time hires or consultant contracts, and to return with recommendations in December; a motion to table immediate hiring was made and seconded.
The meeting also included school presentations on MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support) and district assessment results, and multiple public commenters raised concerns about district transparency and student-safety issues.
What’s next: District staff will return with bid-package details and communications staffing options in coming meetings; the next regular board meeting is scheduled for Nov. 10, 2025, at 6 p.m.
