Board approves design development for Edna McGuire Elementary playground and site upgrades

Julio Bridal, director of maintenance and operations, introduced the project team and asked Lee Pollard of H Y Architects to present the design development package for Edna McGuire Elementary. Pollard said the work focuses on improving exterior learning environments: garden drainage and shade, an accessible garden planter, play-structure replacements, activity-area striping, and upgraded drinking fountains and restroom accessibility to meet current code.

Pollard told the board the design was developed with site administrators, teachers and PE staff and that the team will hold an additional meeting with TK staff. On schedule, the team said it will finish construction documents in about 3–4 weeks, submit to DSA in early October and allow a roughly five-month DSA review with construction targeted for next summer. Pollard reported soft costs included, the total program sits a little over $2,000,000 and said current estimates show little change in construction costs from prior estimates. The board moved to approve design development and passed the motion by voice vote.

Board members asked targeted questions about protecting existing garden beds during DG replacement, design options for a repainted buddy bench and whether roll-down shades in the kindergarten area would be motorized; the project team said accessibility and sensory needs are being incorporated and that the kindergarten shades will need to be motorized because of height.