Board gets construction update; Sand Hill wing permits approved, district targets August 2025 completion

Dorchester School District 2’s facilities director provided a detailed update Nov. 11 on referendum-funded construction projects, saying permits are in place for the Sand Hill wing and preconstruction services and contractor selection are underway.

"We met with a contractor today to get that ball rolling," the facilities director reported, and said the district has pressed for an aggressive timeline: "I impressed upon them the importance of having that wing completed August '25." He said the team is pursuing a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and working to expedite permitting, site logistics and preconstruction services.

The director also updated the board on other projects: paving at Fort Dorchester High School track is complete and in its dwell period; construction documents for a bus-maintenance facility at Oak Brook have been uploaded and are awaiting state review; and elementary-school site work and pond permitting remain in progress. He said the district will use temporary perimeter protections — such as double barriers and fencing — and coordinate egress points and supervision with school leaders to separate active construction zones from student areas.

Board members asked about stakeholder outreach and programming of new spaces; the director said school staff and principals have been actively involved in planning and that the district has been meeting with building-level leaders to ensure restrooms, access and other programmatic needs are included in designs.

The board also discussed ongoing meeting schedules to oversee referendum projects and monthly standing meetings to keep the full board and the community informed during the construction phase.