Cambridge renovation will continue during school year; trustees hear building committee update

At the Aug. 20 meeting the board’s building committee updated trustees on bond construction work across the district, with a focus on Cambridge and the high school.

Committee members said Cambridge is an older facility and that unanticipated conditions are prolonging some work. The committee described the plan to refresh classrooms and complete punch‑list items while school is in session. "It's complex," a committee member said, noting the building’s age and that contractors and staff are working to sequence tasks around occupied classrooms.

Trustees were told teachers received new classroom furniture the weekend before school started and that some internal items — replacement doors and wall paneling — were delayed by ordering timelines. The committee said the cafeteria and kitchen work is planned for late spring and summer to reduce disruption to meals during the school year.

On timing and budget, committee members said delays reflect the building’s age and supply lead times rather than a change in available bond funding, and they said there is not a current identified budget overrun. The committee described ongoing site visits for oversight and said staff continue to press contractors to complete punch‑list items.

Ending note: trustees and staff praised campus teams and community volunteers for supporting moves and transitions; the committee scheduled further meetings and site visits as construction continues.