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Morgan County Schools board gets multi-site construction update; district to evaluate land near high school for parking
Summary
District staff updated the board on five active construction projects (athletic fields, HVAC, paving and demolition), said most work is on schedule though weather and poor soils have caused localized delays and extra excavation, and asked the board to consider purchasing a parcel adjacent to a high-school entrance to secure parking and bus access during an expansion.
The Morgan County Schools Board of Education heard a status report on multiple construction projects and a request to evaluate purchasing land adjacent to a high-school entrance to accommodate parking and bus routing during planned additions. The superintendent asked the board to review construction drawings and consider approving them at the next meeting so the district can move forward if negotiations on the parcel are favorable.
At a work session, Mr. Elliot presented photo-based updates for five ongoing projects, including the new baseball and softball complex at the high school, improvements to Brewer High School’s athletic areas, demolition and early-site work at West Morgan, and paving projects at Lacy Springs and Eva. “We currently have five projects going on,” Mr. Elliot said, describing remaining items such as siding, final sod placement and running power and fiber to press boxes. He reported the high-school complex is on budget and may come in under budget once the remaining small items are finished.
Brewer High School’s contract completion has been affected by weather, Mr. Elliot said; a final shipment and substantial completion are tentatively scheduled for July 14. At several sites, poor soil conditions in student-parking areas will require additional excavation and raise costs, he warned: “We’ve got to do a lot more excavating there which is going to cost more money.” The district plans further work on concrete flatwork, concession-stand interiors and visitor-side bleachers as those contracts progress.
Board members raised site-maintenance questions about cleanup and drainage behind newly installed outfields and confirmed the district will address the retaining-pond/catch-basin areas. At West Morgan, members acknowledged longstanding water problems and discussed installing a major drain between the football, baseball and softball fields.
On a separate item tied to construction logistics, the superintendent presented drawings showing an area of land highlighted in the board packet (described in the packet as adjacent to the high-school entrance and shown in pink). He asked the board to authorize staff to obtain numbers and to consider purchasing the parcel to replace parking that will be lost during phased construction; the superintendent said Clark Drive would be closed between the existing gym and the lunchroom during the work. Board members generally supported pursuing more information and directed staff to return with cost estimates and drawings for approval at an upcoming meeting.
The district also reported a painting project for Lacy and Eva that the presenter said came in under budget. The packet lists a bid of $430,758 and a reported under-run of $67,121; the precise lower cost figure in the transcript appears inconsistent with arithmetic and is flagged for clarification.
The superintendent asked the board to consider adding a short, personnel-only board meeting on July 30 at 4:30 p.m. to take up personnel matters and to consider approving the construction drawings; scheduling was agreed in principle.
The board offered several public acknowledgements during the comment period, including praise for contractors and staff managing the projects. No formal votes or motions occurred on land acquisition during the work session; members requested staff follow up with specific financial estimates and bring the matter back for action at the next meeting.
