Monroe project update: new high school on track; board leans to install $60,000 light-pole bases now
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Summary
Project leads reported the new high school is roughly 88–89% complete and on budget; the board heard a contingency plan for a lift station (permanent power expected mid-April) and a recommendation to install precast light-pole bases now at an estimated $60,000 to avoid higher costs later. The board gave a straw poll in favor with one member asking to wait for cash-flow clarity.
Project leads told the Monroe School District Board on March 23 that the new high school construction is progressing rapidly and remains on schedule and on budget.
Ryan (construction lead) said the project is about 88–89% built, with furniture installation planned for May and a public preview event scheduled Thursday from 5–7 p.m. He described interior finishes, gym floor and bleacher installation, locker rooms and auditorium progress and said exterior work (baseball turf and irrigation) is proceeding as weather permits.
The board and construction staff discussed the lift station serving the site. The pump house and wet well are in place and the force main is expected in early–mid April; permanent power to the lift station is the remaining hurdle and was projected for early–mid April, with the permanent backup generator due in June–July. Staff described a contingency for occupancy that would store sewage in the wet well and pump it out as needed; the district reported it has coordinated this plan with the city and inspectors and has not heard objections.
Separately, the construction team recommended installing precast light-pole bases for the baseball and varsity fields now to avoid later damage to turf and higher earthwork costs. The bases were estimated at about $60,000. Staff noted that waiting until later would risk increased costs because crews would disturb finished landscaping. Board members discussed timing, the $100,000 board threshold for formal action, and cash-flow implications; one board member urged waiting until the April meeting to commit funds until proceeds from a land sale are clearer. The chair conducted a straw poll; the majority favored proceeding with the bases while one member preferred waiting.
Finance staff reported owner contingency balances and earlier allocations: owner contingency was described as nearly $400,000 remaining, and previously approved items (for example, $165,000 for electric hoists) will be reflected in budget change orders when finalized. Presenters cautioned that some funds (proceeds from a land sale) may not be available until later in the project, so timing of expenditures remains a consideration.
What’s next: staff will proceed with plans for the preview event; the board indicated support to move forward with the light bases pending final scheduling and budget confirmation, or else will take formal action at the April meeting if necessary.
