Kendrick Elementary nears completion; temporary occupancy planned for late May

District staff and contractor representatives presented a construction update for the new Kendrick Elementary School, showing interior and exterior photos and a timeline that places the project at roughly 95% complete, ahead of schedule and under budget.

Presenters described key features: a courtyard and outdoor learning spaces, a library with a puppet stage retained from the original campus, a new gym (in addition to the existing gym retained for indoor recess), classroom "neighborhoods" with secure lockdown points, widened collaborative hallways and a monumental stair with stained glass. Staff said the district received its first furniture delivery and expected teacher move-in activity beginning Saturday, May 17; a temporary certificate of occupancy was targeted for May 22 pending final inspections and the full occupancy permit once punch-list items are complete.

Board members and staff praised the contractor partnership and noted the cultural and programmatic decisions (e.g., keeping rocking chairs and a puppet stage) were made to preserve elements of the prior campus while modernizing instructional spaces. The district indicated final technology installations and packing logistics are underway, with a phased move schedule (early moves May 17 and a larger move after school ends May 23).