Bond update: Stillwater board hears progress report on new high school and athletics facilities

District staff gave a progress update on work funded by the 2023 bond, reporting site, interior and athletics-design milestones for the new Stillwater High School.

Mr. Gamble briefed the board on the high school schedule and finishes: site work and parking are progressing, FF&E procurement and staging are being planned for an early 2026 temporary certificate of occupancy on the north end, and elevator installation was expected to begin shortly. He said many interior areas have progressed from shell to millwork and light installation.

"We started having meetings about bond planning back in May 2022," Mr. Gamble said, describing more than 50 meetings with architects, city reviewers and user groups to reach the current point. For the high school, he highlighted science labs, a Pathfinders kitchen/training area, flexible classroom walls, and a student center with a planned 17-foot LED video wall.

On athletics, Gamble said the athletics phase is at 50% design development. The district expects to issue an early package for demolition and earthwork in March and a main package in April, with construction beginning in June. Design changes have expanded locker-room footprints and refined training and practice spaces to increase usability and future flexibility.

Board members noted interest in aligning other existing facilities to similar security and facility standards over time. Mr. Gamble said some athletic renovations might be moved forward for summer completion depending on packaging and funding.

Next steps: staff will continue finalizing the design-development documents and aim to produce 100% design in January, with early procurement packages to follow per the discussed schedule.