School division reports tight timelines for Taub High, field-lighting upgrades and Burton gym repairs

York County School Division staff gave a detailed capital-projects update March 9, warning of tight construction timelines and outlining work at Taub High, athletic fields and school facilities.

David Kilburn, associate director of capital plans and projects, said the Taub High School addition and renovation design is approaching 95% completion and that the team expects the drawings next week. He said electrical and low-voltage systems are being finalized and that some phasing may be required so parts of the project can open for school while other work continues. Kilburn said contractors estimate roughly a 120-day schedule for certain phases but stressed that exact timelines will be known only after bids and contractor schedules are finalized.

Kilburn reported progress on athletic lighting: most tennis- and soccer-field LED lights are installed, with two tennis poles and a pair of far-side soccer poles pending foundation and weather windows. He said the new turf-field permit was issued recently and the turf-field work is underway; when the remaining poles are installed, field lighting work will be approximately two-thirds complete.

On the Grafton Complex, Kilburn said an agreement facilitated with Newport News and an independent reviewer is still undergoing negotiation between legal teams and will be finalized before moving forward.

At Burton High, leveling work on the auxiliary gym floor revealed moisture intrusion along a back wall but no mold. Kilburn said a contractor will inject waterproofing grout and painting is underway so the gym can be returned on schedule; he did not report a critical delay to the project timeline.

Kilburn also said a division-wide facility study (purchase order issued to HBA) has a planned kickoff and that the division is targeting late-May deliverables to align with county budget season. He added that Bruin High is scheduled for a full HVAC replacement and staff are exploring use of leftover roof project funds to start design work early. The division is evaluating whether Brewton's geothermal system can be optimized to handle larger spaces now served by an older chiller plant.

Board members asked for completion estimates and whether moisture concerns included mold; Kilburn replied there were no mold issues observed and gave estimated short-term windows for paint, waterproofing and flooring completion. The board did not take any formal action on capital items at the meeting.

The division will return project updates as bids are issued and legal reviews conclude.