The Washoe County School District Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Jan. 13 to award a construction contract to Plenium Builders for the reconstruction of Echo Loder Elementary School.

Chief Operating Officer Adam Searcy described the project as an early reconstruction included in the district’s 2023 Facility Modernization Plan and detailed improvements including a more rectangular building footprint, a two‑story atrium, expanded outdoor learning spaces and alternates such as rooftop solar and perimeter screening. Assistant Director April Anderson summarized the procurement: a mandatory pre‑bid walk drew nearly 40 participants, the district received five qualified general‑contractor bids and Plenium’s bid plus the recommended alternates totaled $58,190,959.

Trustee Elizabeth Beth Smith moved to award the contract to Plenium Builders for the amount recommended; Trustee Diane Nicolette seconded. The board approved the award by unanimous vote. Searcy said the project schedule targets completion by March 1, 2028, to be ready for the 2027–28 school year.

Plenium representatives in public comment said they were grateful for the opportunity and emphasized their experience with live‑campus construction and subcontractor engagement. District staff noted roughly 68% of the proposed subcontractor workforce is local to Northern Nevada.