District outlines high‑school construction phasing, may recommend post‑Labor Day 2026 start

District administrators outlined a phasing plan for the new Galena high‑school project and said they are likely to recommend starting school after Labor Day in fall 2026 to allow substantial construction work to be completed before students return.

Staff said the district aims to include visible educational spaces — including the gym and locker rooms — in phase one so students can use those facilities sooner, even if other work (abatement, deconstruction, parking) continues afterward. Administrators acknowledged the schedule may force the district to vacate senior hall and operate without an on‑site gym and football field for a year, and they said staff are exploring swing‑space options with neighboring schools and doubling up classrooms to minimize disruption.

The administration also noted immediate funding actions tied to the project: a state School Maintenance matching grant opened that allows $50,000 per year in matching funds (the district expects three years for a total of $150,000), and the district plans to pre‑purchase precast panels for the gym (about $1.5 million advanced into phase‑one spending). Staff described progress on variance discussions for an electronic sign as part of the project’s October zoning proposal.

Board members heard the operational and safety rationale for phasing and the staff recommendation timeline; no formal vote on phasing or calendar change occurred at this meeting. Staff said they will return with final recommendations and specifics on calendar adjustments and construction sequencing.