District reports summer facilities work: roofs, HVAC, drainage, modular utilities and Sumter High parking

District operations staff provided a broad update on summer facilities projects at the July 13 board meeting, highlighting completed HVAC replacements, roof repairs, classroom abatement, Willow Drive storm-drainage work, Lakewood track and turf installation, and underground utilities for modular restroom units at Crestwood.

Chief of Operations Nicholas Pearson described HVAC unit replacements at multiple schools and noted that obsolete Marvara units were removed and replaced with newer wall-hung units and heat pumps. He described remediation work following water intrusion and termite damage at Willow Drive Elementary and said patching, painting and flooring replacements have been completed in several classrooms.

Project manager Kenneth Rhodes outlined roofing replacements at Dallas and Lamar, progress on the culinary arts classroom pending final inspections, and near-completion items at Lakewood and Crestwood. Regarding Crestwood, Rhodes said underground electrical utilities and staking for modular restroom placement are in place and that he will seek an update from the state on shipment timing for modular units.

The update also covered Sumter High parking-lot milling and repairs to address subgrade deterioration; district staff said milling and paving are scheduled with completion planned before students return.

Why it matters: Facilities investments affect learning conditions and safety. Board members asked staff to post these construction updates to the district website so the community can track progress and costs; staff said those updates will be posted shortly and that procurement and OSF-related compliance steps are being strengthened in response to past OIG concerns.

Ending: Staff said contracts include one-year workmanship warranties where applicable and committed to continue periodic updates to the board.