Construction begins on two new schools
Mustang Public School officials, dignitaries and students break ground Tuesday at the site of the district’s eighth elementary school.
By Traci Chapman
Mustang Public School officials on Tuesday celebrated the district’s eighth elementary and third intermediate school during a groundbreaking ceremony held near the intersection of 44th and Czech Hall Road.
“This represents what people think of our community,” Mustang Superintendent Dr. Sean McDaniel said. “People want to be here.”
The projects are the first to officially break ground, after voters in February passed a $180.8 million bond issue – the largest in district history. While the new intermediate and elementary schools top the list of 22 made possible by that election, 12 have already been started, according to a late May presentation McDaniel gave to Mustang Chamber of Commerce members.
Officials plan to complete all construction by April 2020, dependent on weather and other factors. The last project on the district’s schedule — a $25 million performing arts center — is currently expected to begin construction in August 2018, with a listed completion date of April 15, 2020.
According to McDaniel’s May 25 presentation, the district’s current construction breakdown lists eight currently slated for an October 2018 completion date, while McDaniel said another six should be completed by December 2019, barring any unforeseen complications.
The remaining seven items include new bus purchases, playground equipment, $5 million in HVAC equipment and controls, $4.5 million in textbooks and other instructional materials and $2.3 million dedicated to infrastructure and technology.
Mustang Board of Education recently began the process of approving specific project contracts related to the bond issue. Those already begun or slated for a start date this summer are:
Elementary School No. 8
The district’s eighth, $17 million, elementary school is a planned 72,000-square-foot, 32 classroom facility slated for 44th and Czech Hall Road. The school has a capacity of 700 students, Bradley said.
In April, Norman-based D-Owen Construction was awarded a $482,489 contract for utilities at the site; board members approved an additional $2,500 Crossland Construction addendum for the project. According to district bid documents, four companies submitted bids for the work.
Work on the school began April 24, and administrators anticipate it will be completed in July 2018.
Intermediate School No. 3
Located at 15th and Czech Hall Road, Mustang’s third intermediate school is expected to be a 38 classroom, 79,000-square-foot facility that will house 750 students. Administrators list the expected project cost at $21 million.
During the board’s April meeting, it awarded a $777,500 structural steel contract to Oklahoma City-based HK&S Iron, the lowest of three bidders for that element of the district’s newest intermediate school. Cantera Concrete submitted the lowest bid for that project’s concrete work, securing a $561,900 contract. The Oklahoma City concrete company was one of five companies vying for the project.
CTR Plumbing, also of Oklahoma City, submitted the lowest estimate of seven companies bidding on site utilities for the site, securing a $560,000 contract approved by board members.
The district’s third intermediate school is currently on schedule for a July 2018 finish date, McDaniel said.
Canyon Ridge Intermediate Band Room
As student participation in band continues to explode, a $1 million band room addition to Canyon Ridge Intermediate will go a long way to addressing space needs there, the superintendent said. Listed with a June 6 start date, the band room actually has the first listed completion date, at least for now — May 15, 2018.
District Transportation/Warehouse Facility
The district’s $5 million transportation/warehouse is slated for a 47-acre site at 15th and Czech Hall Road. Bradley said the building will include four bays and a vehicle washing area. Shannon Rigsby, MPS public information officer, said Tuesday Mustang’s current transportation facility, located adjacent to Mustang High School, will house general maintenance and trades, such as HVAC, once the new site is complete, while the current bus parking lot will be converted to high school overflow parking.
The project’s official start date is July 1, with work expected to finish in July 2018.
Mustang Educational Resource Center
The district’s new administration is set to kick off in July and has a listed completion date of July 2018. The $6.5 million facility will replace an aging and too-small space, also providing areas for training and Board of Education meetings, which are currently held at Canyon Ridge Intermediate.
