Residents, board and engineers press for fixes at Holland Elementary and HVAC work at Taylor High

Parents and board members told the committee there are outstanding construction and safety issues at Holland Elementary that contractors still must fix, and facilities staff described ongoing water and punch-list items that limit usable space in the school's addition.

Caroline Katz, who stepped up for public comment and gave her address for the record, said she has seen remaining problems in the renovations and told the board, "You're never gonna get another bond in Taylor," adding her view that voters would be unlikely to approve another bond while outstanding work remains. Staff responded that the district would continue to pursue contractor corrections and reiterated that some rooms have been used while other spaces remain closed until punch-list items are corrected.

Board members asked whether certificates of occupancy have been issued for all parts of the addition; staff said they would double-check but confirmed there are parts of the addition still off limits and that punch-list work remains. Staff described specific items that remain under review: door hardware that does not operate as expected, missing base molding and improperly installed can lights. Facilities staff said contractors jetted a storm line to trace where water was entering the site, and the collaborative engineering team will continue investigation.

Separately, facilities staff and an outside engineering team described HVAC problems at Taylor High and short-term and long-term options. The facilities director said multiple air-handling units and control systems are aging or nonfunctional, and some classroom walls have no return-air openings. Rich Browning of Collaborative said replacing air handlers and controls can be done in a way that parts are reusable during a later renovation, but ducting, return paths and fire-rated dampers must be considered.

"A lot of those walls were built and they don't have any return cut into them," Rich Browning said, explaining why temporary fixes must be planned carefully to avoid wasted work if a future renovation changes layouts.

The Collaborative representatives said they will provide a written analysis and bring engineers to a future meeting to explain options and costs. Board members asked staff to gather punch-list documentation and certificates of occupancy and to report back with a timeline for contractor corrections. The board did not vote on construction claims or withhold final payments at this meeting; staff said those follow-ups will be pursued and reported to the board.

What happens next: the district's engineering team will deliver the Collaborative analysis report and staff will provide the board with punch-list and occupancy documentation for Holland Elementary; both items will be scheduled for follow-up public reporting.