Mister Elliott, the district’s construction presenter, told the Morgan County Schools board at its work session that six construction projects are currently active and several are close to being turned over to the district for use. He said the district is occupying at least one building now but is withholding four payments and retention until contractors provide required closeout documents and roof warranties.

The construction update highlighted that one project with an original listed budget of $9,600,000 has $8,900,000 spent to date and an approximate underrun of $649,000 after accounting for the amounts the district is holding. Elliott reported a separate large project with a $33,000,000 contract showing roughly $31,600,000 in expenditures to date, an approximate $1,400,000 underrun after retention. "They were a year and 2 and a half months late to date on getting the project completed," Elliott said, and added that the district will release held funds once final closeout paperwork and warranties are provided.

Several athletic-field projects were described in detail. Elliott said the high-school baseball and softball complex has about $2,800,000 remaining in contract value, and the district is holding a $139,000 retention while crews complete remaining work; contractors were aiming for a Jan. 13 completion but Elliott expected a likely slip toward February. He described recent rock placement and backstop-wall construction and said phased inspections will allow portions of sites to open as they are signed off.

On the soccer facility Elliott noted crews still need to install one light pole (quoted at $14,000 due to rock in the ground) and described a major drainage pipe run that extends from Route 67 toward the mountain; he said the new drainage already seems to be improving water flow behind the site.

At Brewer High and another cited high school, demolition of old home bleachers, concession stands and locker-room work is underway; Elliott said the new home bleachers will be placed adjacent to the press box and contractor activity has begun grading in anticipation of rock and turf installation. He noted the state will perform multiple, sequential inspections (baseball, softball, soccer, then paint) so completed areas can be occupied immediately after sign-off.

Board members praised Elliott for fiscal oversight. The chair and other members noted the district has realized multi-million-dollar savings across recent projects; one board member referenced approximately $2,000,000 in total underruns across projects. The work session contained no formal motions or votes on construction matters during the segments transcribed.

The district continues to hold retention funds and some phase payments until final closeout documents and warranties are supplied by contractors; Elliott said the district will release payments as those documents are received and inspections are completed.