Project manager John gave the board a detailed update on Phase 1 construction across multiple sites, saying work is progressing and many elements are approaching punch-list status. At the Brady Street baseball complex crews finished the grass surface before winter and are now completing dugout siding, roofing and concession finishes, with punch-list walkthroughs planned later this month. John said, “That should start to get us close to wrap up.”

At Sudlow, John reported roofing and framing are in place, interior mechanicals (piping and ductwork) are underway and the classroom wing is being worked toward full enclosure so finish work can follow. On the North project he said infield material and cafeteria/admin work are on schedule; the district plans to occupy the cafeteria and administrative areas at the start of the next school year. For SMART junior high, John said the district expects delivery of the new portion in May 2027 and full project completion for the 2027–28 school year.

John told the board the projects have seen a mix of progress and site management challenges. “The site is messy—there’s a lot of material storage on-site—but once we get windows and enclosure it will move quickly,” he said. He noted some winter-conditions charges have appeared for the North work and that most contracts do not build winter conditioning into price; “it’s a bit of a gamble on risk,” he said. Josh (district staff) added that mud from recent rain is producing some short-term productivity impacts but that, to date, the district has not needed to draw on contingency funds.

The presentation included aerial images of framing, roofing and masonry work, and John described the phased plan after classroom-wing occupancy: removal of the former classroom portion and construction of a new gymnasium in that footprint. He also briefed the board on athletics and auxiliary projects: the armory conversion and West facility turf and rollout turf for multiuse space, plus safety upgrades such as code-compliant guardrails.

Board members asked about schedule implications of milder winter weather and whether savings had resulted; John said winter conditions were generally not priced into contracts but that the mild winter has helped crews stay on schedule in some areas. The board set an update meeting with the builder for mid-January to confirm timelines and discussed the district’s strategy for staging occupancy so students can use new cafeteria and administrative spaces while subsequent phases (science rooms, storm shelter, classroom renovations) continue on a rolling schedule.

The board also reviewed a planned playground replacement schedule, including a district-funded turf playground at Jefferson with ADA accommodations and a Children’s Village West playground financed from preschool funds held by that program. Josh said portable equipment and removal options were part of the plan should leased-site arrangements change.

Next steps: staff will hold the follow-up schedule meeting with the construction team and report firmed timelines to the board. No formal action on the Phase 1 schedule was taken during this presentation.