Board Update – Oct. 28: Facility Improvement Projects Remain on Schedule and Within Budget

Board Update – Oct. 28: Facility Improvement Projects Remain on Schedule and Within Budget At its Oct. 28 meeting , the Board of Education received an update on Proposition O projects and other planned capital improvements across the School District of Clayton. The District’s design team shared updates on construction timelines, budgets and next steps for several projects. Overall, work remains on schedule and within budget, with construction expected to begin at several locations in the coming months. Proposition O-funded projects continue to track within the projected budget range of $110 million to $135 million, including funds set aside for unexpected costs. Other planned capital improvements also remain within the District’s budget of $17 million to $20 million. Highlights from the meeting are outlined below. Captain Elementary School One of the first improvements will be at Captain Elementary School, where work on the outdoor play surface is expected to begin in March 2027, with work to be completed by Byrne & Jones. Clayton High School At Clayton High School, plans for the new Learning Lab addition and renovations to the Performing Arts Area are moving closer to construction following the completion of the competitive bidding process. During the meeting, the Board approved guaranteed maximum construction prices of $1,765,000 for the Performing Arts Center renovations and $11,905,000 for the new Learning Lab. This approval allows BSI Constructors, the District’s construction manager, to move forward with subcontractor agreements and preparations for construction. Gay Field Athletic Complex Plans to improve safety, accessibility and the overall experience for students and spectators at Gay Field are also progressing. The project is currently out for bid and undergoing final design refinements, with construction expected to begin in early 2027. The design team anticipates presenting guaranteed maximum construction prices to the Board in December. Glenridge Elementary School The design team is working to finalize construction drawings for the Glenridge Elementary School renovation. As part of this work, the team is reviewing costs and looking for opportunities to save through a process known as value engineering. The goal is to deliver the improvements promised to the community while making the most of the funding available. Bridge Campus To support students and staff during Glenridge’s renovation, planning continues for the temporary Bridge Campus at the former Fontbonne University campus now owned by Washington University in St. Louis. Currently, the District is working through details related to classroom layouts, transportation, safety and outdoor play areas. While the design team acknowledged that the timeline is tight, the goal is to have the campus ready by early summer 2027 so students and staff can tour the space ahead of the new school year. At the meeting, the Board approved a temporary bus service contract to help ease the transition for Glenridge students and families as they adjust to new routines at the Bridge Campus. Specific bus stops and transportation details will be shared with families closer to the campus opening. The design team also discussed plans to make the Bridge Campus a safe and welcoming place for students and staff. Among the improvements being considered are fencing around the modular classrooms and playground to create a more enclosed campus, as well as canopies to provide some protection from the weather as students and staff move between buildings. Outdoor play areas are another important part of the planning. The team shared that they are exploring options for playground equipment, including gaga ball, swings and a possible climbing structure. While the playground will be smaller than Glenridge’s current space, the goal is to give students opportunities to play and be active while keeping costs reasonable for a temporary campus. Watch the Oct. 28 Board presentation for more details on the projects and the design team's discussion.