Career academy construction delayed by heavy rain; contractor outlines staged recovery plan

The Avoyelles Parish School Board heard an update on the district’s career academy and arena construction projects from the district project manager, identified in the transcript as Mr. Demarcus Gily. Gily told the board that rain-related work stoppages in April and May have produced “a month and a half of delays” and described a contractor recovery strategy that starts with pouring spread footers and grade beams, erecting steel and installing CMU block walls, then completing slab work and interior work once the structure is weather-protected.

The project manager said contractors will move a concrete crew onto the career academy and begin work on Building B (the pre‑engineered “barn” or arena) as soon as foundation concrete cures, allowing steel erection to follow. He told the board he expected to see spread footers and grade beams poured “between now and June 27” and then vertical progress the following week, with plumbers and electricians continuing preparatory work in the meantime.

Why it matters: district staff framed the update as an explanation of how the team is trying to recover schedule after unusually wet months. Board members expressed concern about the district’s target that the facility be “open by January 1, 2027,” noting the transcript shows ambiguity about what “open” legally requires and whether liquidated damages or other remedies apply if schedule slips are contractor‑caused.

Board reactions and risk: several members pressed the project manager on accountability and whether the contract allows the district to assess liquidated damages if the contractor fails to meet the schedule. Staff responded that industry practice is to credit a contractor additional excusable days when weather days exceed typical allowances, and that liquidated damages apply if the contractor is at fault rather than for excusable weather delays. The project update also noted the district will add another superintendent to focus on concrete work and that multiple subcontractor crews are working to allow parallel progress on the arena and the academy.

What’s next: staff said they will continue weekly calls with contractors, monitor inspections and provide updates to the board. The board did not take a formal vote during the presentation; members asked for clearer definitions of the opening target and for more detailed schedule and inspection evidence at subsequent meetings.