Sloane Elementary 43% complete and tracking ahead; district maps deferred-maintenance work and HVAC options for Lewis & Clark

JE Dunn construction representative Ryan Anderson told the Wilson Basin School District board that Sloane Elementary is about 43% complete, that project schedule is tracking ahead toward a June 2026 completion target, and that the project remains under budget by about $4 million.

Why it matters: The new elementary is a major capital project for the district; its schedule and budget affect move-in timing, deferred-maintenance planning and the districts capital reserves.

Anderson presented a July update showing work on windows (about 85% installed), roof progress, site utilities and interior framing and drywall in classroom wings. He said typical on-site manpower is about 80 to 90 workers per day and that the districts access road work (a city project along Thirteenth Street) is expected to be completed in August. Anderson said the overall schedule shows a June 2026 target for substantial completion but cautioned that unforeseen events could alter that timeline.

On budget, Anderson told the board the project bid and early contract management had left roughly $4 million of the project approved budget unspent; those funds are being returned to the district and may be reallocated toward deferred maintenance.

Anderson then reviewed deferred-maintenance work completed under an earlier $5 million package across seven schools: vestibule security upgrades, accessibility restroom work, poured concrete to address drainage at Innovation Academy, and other scope items. He said work on Hagens HVAC (a project budgeted at about $1.8 million) began after school let out and is expected to wrap by September; the district also contracted directly for a complete reroof at Hagen with an expected 67-week work window and watertight daily sequencing.

For Lewis & Clark, Anderson presented four mechanical options (described for the board as "Chevy," "Buick," and "Cadillac" tiers):

- The lowest-cost option replaces boilers and pumps (heating-only) but does not address piping or air handling.
- A mid-tier heating option replaces boilers, pumps and terminal heating units and would also address piping issues.
- A higher tier adds replacement of the main air handler to restore classroom ventilation and bring in outside air or fresh-air handling.
- The highest-cost option would install dedicated outside-air units, more extensive new ductwork and improved dehumidification (not full air conditioning) but would require the most cutting-and-patching and be the costliest.

Anderson said the design team will price all options and return to the board in August with budgets; bidding is expected in December and construction next summer if the board approves scope. No construction contract for Lewis & Clark was awarded at the meeting; the board was presented options and asked to consider scope and budget at the August meeting.

Board members asked schedule and budget questions; Anderson said contingencies remain in place and that the district has designs ready on several deferred-maintenance items should the board choose to proceed.