Capital Planning Committee: roofing near completion, Elementary School #7 out to bid, CIP spending at about $6.9M

The CCSB Capital Planning Committee convened at 8:30 a.m. Oct. 15 and approved the agenda and the Sept. 17 minutes by unanimous vote. Committee members recorded as present were Deborah Desilets, Elizabeth Hutchins and Betsy Smith.

Mr. Robson told the committee that Fire Marshal inspections at division facilities are complete with "no concerns identified" and that buildings are being readied for the heating season with required controls installed and working. He reported two major roofing projects are nearly finished: the AG Richardson roof is about 90% complete and the FT Binns roof about 95% complete; staff said the white reflective coating applied on the rubber portion of one roof is expected to extend its life roughly 10 years beyond a standard 30-year shingle lifespan.

On the maintenance warehouse, staff have received pricing for the selected metal building and are awaiting a site-work estimate to confirm it fits within the allotted funds; the planned building will include eight garage doors to provide separate trade spaces. Regarding Elementary School #7, a pre-bid meeting on Oct. 14 drew about 10 contractors; the site was bushhogged to aid contractor review, questions centered on arrival and dismissal patterns, and staff are working on a fence-out plan because cows remain on the property. Bids are scheduled to be opened Nov. 4 at 2:00 p.m. at the Central Office; the project timeline discussed allows for a 585-day build, with work expected to begin by the end of November if awarded.

Dr. O’Brien updated the committee on Culpeper Middle School (CMS) preparations: an OAC meeting on Oct. 19 set plans to relocate displaced classrooms effective Jan. 1, assigning rooms 204 and 203 in the annex for math classes and freeing larger rooms in the 90 hallway for agriscience; staff reported the concrete pad for a new wing has been poured and cut for expansion joints and masonry work will begin soon. Officials said the new wing is anticipated to be ready by early September next year, weather permitting.

On the capital improvement plan review, Mr. Robson said walkthroughs at Sycamore and Farmington for LVT flooring conversions are complete and contractors are preparing cost estimates; staff noted $300,000 has been set aside per school and that the new flooring can be installed over existing tile to reduce cost and time. Engineering and design conversations for Emerald Hill HVAC upgrades have begun with $800,000 allocated to the project to allow bidding when funding becomes available.

Mr. Deane provided a financial status update for the CIP, reporting roughly $6.9 million spent about three months into the fiscal year. He identified the top three projects as Culpeper Middle School ($2 million), Mountain Run Elementary ($1.8 million) and the electric buses ($1.6 million). Deane said all four electric buses have been fully paid for; the division has received an $800,000 EPA credit and is pursuing an additional $160,000 in tax credits.

Board members asked several follow-up questions about schedules, site work and funding; staff responded and provided clarifications on timelines and temporary classroom arrangements. The committee set tentative future meeting dates of Nov. 19 and Dec. 17, 2025, both at 8:30 a.m. at the School Board Office. The meeting adjourned at 9:17 a.m. on a motion by Elizabeth Hutchins, seconded by Elizabeth Smith.

(For the record: the minutes were prepared by Sara Morand and noted as approved at the Nov. 12, 2025 Capital Planning Committee meeting.)