Elementary building set for Aug. 28 occupancy; board reviews insurance, payments and bleacher schedule

The Pecatonica Area School District board was told the new elementary building is "ready for occupancy on August 28," but administrators warned families the start date could shift if construction or finish-work timing requires additional time.

Director (S1) told the board that a flooring vendor performed moisture testing and reported the floor is dry; the vendor will return formal recommendations. The board also heard that bleacher installation originally expected over the 2025 winter break now needs a longer window and is slated for summer 2026, with the vendor guaranteeing the original price.

The board received an insurance adjuster estimate for hail-damage repairs on the elementary shingle roof of about $182,000 with $66,000 in depreciation; after the district deductible the director said the district expects a check in the low six figures (the adjuster figures indicate an approximate payout of about $112,000). Board members discussed whether any insurance proceeds could be applied to other projects in concert with the referendum-funded work.

The meeting included approval of several large construction-related payments. The board approved an $839,820.73 payment to C.J. Schmidt related to ongoing construction work and heard that the district has paid $9,700,000 to CG Schmidt to date with about $5,000,000 remaining under contract. The board also approved an invoice to the architect and other routine construction draws.

Board members asked for follow-up details about warranties and long-range scheduling; the director said staff will gather written recommendations and guarantees from vendors and bring formal proposals back to the operations committee and the board.

The board did not set a revised school-start date at this meeting and said families would be given as much notice as possible if a later start becomes necessary.