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Superintendent details gym, flooring and shipping delays on $20 million bond project
Summary
Oakland School District officials told the school board the gym, bleachers and fields are progressing but have faced delays: key equipment is in overseas shipment, a moisture test missed the gym slab threshold and a required vapor barrier will add roughly $27,000 to secure a warranty.
The district’s superintendent updated the Oakland School Board on Jan. 14 about progress and setbacks on the district’s bond construction program, saying work on the new gym, bleachers and athletic fields is moving forward but will run behind the original February target.
The superintendent said much of the delay stems from equipment logistics and a moisture‑testing issue on the gym slab. "All of our equipment is on a boat coming from China to here," he said, adding the shipment is expected to land in New York and be routed to the district by late February. He added that installers from Canada delivered the stage and were scheduled to begin installation the following day.
On the flooring, the superintendent said a moisture test missed the contractor’s threshold by about 1 percent. That shortfall prompted the contractors and installers to require a different vapor barrier in order to provide a warranty. "You have to use this other vapor barrier that costs $27,000 to put in place," he said.
District staff told the board they had brought in a third‑party tester who found most of the slab met standards and that the more expensive barrier was a contractor requirement to secure a warranty rather than a strict performance shortfall. The superintendent said the district felt it had little choice if it wanted a warranty from the installers.
Despite the setbacks, officials said much of the remaining work is on track: lower‑roof areas, locker rooms, bathrooms and concessions were expected to be finished within days, and bleacher and hoop installation was scheduled to follow the flooring work. The superintendent said excavation and drainage work had begun and that some scheduling would slide into spring to accommodate weather and athletic schedules.
On budget, the superintendent told the board the district remained about $250,000 under the bond estimate so far and suggested that contingency funds could cover additional work such as paving a parking area. "We're still about $250,000 under budget," he said, while acknowledging unknown last‑minute expenses could change that figure.
The superintendent said warranty work and punch‑list items remain a priority and that the district is coordinating with contractors to secure final warranties and complete installations.
The board did not take action during the update; construction timelines and warranty decisions will affect near‑term scheduling and any additional contract approvals.
