Construction update: Ben Lot road closure, summer work and supply delays at Viroqua schools

The district administrator presented a detailed construction and facilities update, telling the board multiple projects are active across district campuses and listing schedule milestones, materials problems and short‑term impacts.

The report said foundations and footings are complete at the elementary and additions, and that crews discovered a pool drain line that needed rerouting during work on the middle‑school two‑story addition. The board was told Ben Lot and Drive will be closed beginning April 24 for roadway and site work; the entry will remain available from the south side for limited event access but will no longer be maintained as a through road.

Summer construction is scheduled to begin May 22–23, with the district averaging 16–20 workers per day now and expecting up to 60 workers daily during peak summer activity. The administrator flagged procurement as a current issue: the district is waiting on custom structural‑steel decking for the elementary awning areas and reported a long lead time on an air handler (about 24 weeks from order). ‘‘We were 24 weeks out from getting that air handler,’’ the administrator said, noting the old air handler will keep classrooms operable until the replacement arrives.

The tech‑ed wing and some additions are not expected to be fully complete by the first school day; the administrator said the contractor is aiming to return substantial parts of the tech‑ed space by October rather than the early September target. The district also reported it came in under budget on the project overall, which leaves room to consider alternate items in a later work list (parking, site finishes) once pricing is finalized.

Separately, the administrator reported progress in the district’s hydroponics greenhouse: about 1,100 heads of lettuce were growing, with an initial harvest expected of about 400 heads; the produce is planned for school‑meal service. ‘‘We go through about 200 heads of lettuce a week,’’ the administrator said, and staff are working through how much production will continue through summer and how best to use the product.

Board members asked about road access, safety during construction, and contingency planning for procurement delays; staff said they are coordinating phased access and temporary measures while awaiting materials.