The Valley Central Board of Education received a facilities and construction update at its July 7 meeting from the assistant superintendent for business. District staff said contractors are progressing on the Capital Project 21-23 and that a fuller construction update will be presented at the July 28 board meeting.

Superintendent staff reported work at multiple buildings: at Berea a new secure vestibule and main office work are underway and kindergarten classrooms are being relocated; East Coldenham (East Coltenham in meeting remarks) is receiving a secure vestibule and a boiler replacement with ventilation prework; Montgomery Elementary is receiving a vestibule and ventilation prework with more substantial ventilation and bathroom renovations planned for next summer; Maybrook is getting a secure vestibule; and at the high school major work includes science classroom renovations, replacement of boilers, English-wing ventilation replacement and vestibule construction. Pool mechanical equipment and the pool heater are also being replaced.

Business office staff said the external audit is underway and that auditors are working daily with the business office. On transportation and traffic issues, staff reported that Route 17K was closed near the middle school and that the district has discussed signage placement with the Department of Transportation (DOT); staff said they will monitor local turnaround traffic and ask DOT to add signage near Bailey Road if turnaround activity becomes a problem.

The board approved Capital Project 21-23 change orders under old business (vote recorded 6-0). Trustees were informed that the district will host National Night Out on Aug. 5 on the back fields behind the high school and middle school and that district departments (kitchen staff, custodians and bus drivers) were thanked for work during the busy end-of-year period.

Ending: Trustees asked staff to present a detailed construction update at the July 28 meeting; staff will monitor traffic impacts from the Route 17K closure and coordinate signage with DOT if needed.