Okaloosa board hears construction update; Destin Elementary set for Aug. 1 completion target

The Okaloosa County School Board on April 13 received a construction-program update from board member Mr. Heinley detailing progress on multiple capital projects and a near-term completion target for one elementary school.

Heinley summarized task orders that cover renovations and new construction across the district. He reported that Ruckle Middle School’s old cafeteria work is progressing with framing and HVAC complete and a new slab placed; PL Elementary’s cafeteria framing and above-ceiling work are finished and crews are hanging sheetrock; and Wright Elementary’s cafeteria renovation will be bid next week.

He said Bruner Middle School’s HVAC project is out for bid and a contract is expected this week with work starting in May. He described a roof-coating capital project as a "1.5 mill project" with phase two underway. "The big one" under task order 35, funded with COP money, is a series of projects including a completed Baker job and ongoing work at Destin Elementary — brick veneer, window installation, standing-seam roof work and new sidewalks and curbs. Heinley said Destin’s certificate of occupancy is scheduled for Aug. 1, which he noted was "less than 120 days" away.

Heinley also described a large Pine View K–8 project with extensive parking, building, and HVAC work under way and said it is ambitious to finish by the target date. He told the board that at least seven new sales-tax–funded projects will be presented for approval at the next board meeting.

Board members asked a question about an acronym ("EFS") and Mr. Myers responded during the discussion. There were no public comments on the construction items; the report closed with the note that several projects will come forward for approval in the next cycle.