District outlines summer capital work: HVAC, sewer fixes, REACH progress

District operations staff reported progress on multiple summer facility projects at the Aug. 21 Wentzville School District board meeting, giving timelines, scope and budget status for each.
Boone Trail: Staff said phase 2 work — building-wide HVAC replacement, new intercom, LED lighting, new drop ceilings, tuckpointing and ADA improvements — largely wrapped in early August. Leaders said the retrofit replaces noisy unit ventilators with more efficient, quieter systems and should improve Energy Star performance next year.
Timberland High School: A multi-phase HVAC replacement continued this summer, including rooftop RTU installations and major piping and ductwork work. Staff said planners are phasing the job so displaced classrooms move temporarily with limited interruption and to reduce the overall project duration.
Holt High School: District staff described an urgent sewer trenching project that replaced about 260 linear feet of below-grade pipe and several cleanouts to reduce repeated backups. Staff clarified the repairs are an immediate remediation, not a final long-term replacement of all corroded piping.
Piney Ridge Elementary: A frozen sprinkler line burst in February and flooded office areas. Summer work removed and replaced damaged tile, carpet and drywall; staff said about 5,000 square feet of tile and 2,500 square feet of carpet were replaced and the building was prepared for the school year.
Tuckpointing and maintenance: Ongoing masonry and tuckpointing work at Heritage Elementary, Wentzville Middle and other sites was highlighted; exposed metal is being painted and expansion joints recaulked.
REACH Samuelson Center: Operations staff provided an overhead photo and timeline. One speaker said the district was “targeted to hit our Nov. 7 substantial-completion date” and to move students in phases in December with full occupancy by Jan. 1, 2026; a later comment from operations staff said the Samuelson Center is expected to be open in June 2026 and noted project budget status: about $9 million remains on a roughly $38 million contract plus retainage. Staff said weather and rain have caused some delays but that the contractor had performed well overall.
Staff and board members repeatedly thanked custodial and maintenance crews for summer work, and administrators said many projects were completed with minimal interruption to the start of school.
Board members asked follow-ups about remaining deferred maintenance at Holt and how capital planning will continue; staff said some maintenance was reprioritized to address immediate safety and operational needs and additional work will be scheduled in future capital plans.