Staff member updates Dexter Community School District on renovations, pool repairs and solar installation

A staff member provided the Dexter Community School District Board of Education with an extensive facilities update on ongoing renovations, maintenance and energy projects Tuesday, saying work at Dexter High School is largely on schedule but that technical problems have delayed some items, including pool repairs.

The status report outlined completed work in the high school media center — carpet and new lighting — and said benches are being installed where lockers were removed. "Fire suppression is all set and done," the staff member said, and crews identified about a dozen pipe-repair spots that will require follow-up visits.

The staff member described a persistent complication at the high school pool: the district cannot fully drain the pool until an underground surge tank is in place, a requirement staff said is needed to protect the pool structure. The staff member said once the system is in place, "it takes 5 to 7 days to get it drained," and estimated a mid-September timeline for completion of pool-related work.

District crews are also addressing replaced and cracked field-light posts and are planning inspections using boom cranes to ensure poles and bolts are safe. Staff said the district considered but did not include an LED light upgrade in current bond work because the cost exceeded available funds; the district replaced bulbs where scaffolding was already present and changed breakers where undersized units were limiting performance.

On energy, the staff member reported that the district's solar installation is operating: "Solar is bringing us power right now," the staff member said, while noting some final steps with the utility remain before the district can measure exported generation and savings. Staff said they would check the solar dashboard this week to quantify savings.

The presentation also covered other site work, including polished-concrete testing in gym areas, attention to vapor barriers in recent pours, and procurement for wireless switch gear targeted for next summer. The staff member mentioned a broad figure for upcoming phases, saying "that's 6 to 7,000,000 now," presented as an approximate planning-scale amount.

Board members asked clarifying questions about scheduling windows for intrusive repairs (for example, short windows when contractors can access the pool) and communications to families; staff said they will meet the next day to refine chiller- and cost-related estimates and will continue coordinating with athletic programs and contractors.

The update was informational; no formal action was taken on the facilities items during the meeting.