Adams Central board approves corridor and restroom alternates, town cost-sharing and geotechnical study for 400‑wing project

The Adams Central Community Schools Board of Education voted to approve several construction and contract items tied to the district’s 400‑wing expansion, including a corridor flooring alternate priced at $107,321 and an alternate that will add ADA‑compliant special‑education and staff restrooms.

Chair opened discussion by describing the corridor alternate’s footprint and rationale: the corridor work would bring hallway flooring into a more consistent systemwide appearance as the district extends the new 400‑wing floor into adjacent areas. "That will get us an opportunity to bring all of that into what I would call a more standard flooring that matches throughout our school system," the Chair said during the meeting.

Joel, the district superintendent, confirmed the geotechnical proposal from SME — a firm working with Elevatus on the district’s facilities study — will include borings and soil sampling to inform the project. "SME is working with Elevatus just with that facility study, and part of that is that exploration of soil," he said. The board approved the SME geotechnical exploration proposal.

The board also voted to approve a cost‑sharing construction agreement with the Town of Monroe for a water‑main replacement tied to the 400‑wing work. Under the agreement, the town will pay material costs (piping, fittings, valves, accessories and fire hydrants) while the district will cover labor, including bedding and backfill. Joel said the partnership should lower the school’s net expense for the alternate work.

Members discussed an alternate originally labeled as a "referee locker room" and agreed to emphasize its primary daytime functions: staff restrooms and ADA‑compliant special‑education restrooms located near intensive intervention spaces. Joel and other administrators described how the larger, accessible fixtures and shower area could better meet the needs of students who require changing or showering accommodations. A board member who consulted special‑education staff said teacher feedback and dimension comparisons supported re‑labeling the space and moving forward with the alternate at no added cost.

The board also approved trading 12 Lincoln welding wall stations to Winchester Community Schools for a used unit, and approved disposal of the current welding sections and outdated weight‑room equipment to clear space for replacements.

The corridor alternate (Alternate 3) was explicitly approved at a cost of $107,321; Alternate 2 (restrooms/staff areas) was approved as presented. The SME geotechnical study and the Town of Monroe cost‑share contract were similarly approved, giving district staff and the construction team authority to proceed with the next steps in the 400‑wing schedule.