The Kirkwood School District recently provided updated information on the projected timeline for renovations and construction funded through Prop R. The District is working to lower construction costs by extending the target completion date for projects. At this time, this will affect the estimated construction completion date at North Kirkwood Middle School, Nipher Middle School, Kirkwood High School and Tillman Elementary School. 

The Kirkwood School District recently provided updated information on the projected timeline for renovations and construction funded through Prop R. The District is working to lower construction costs by extending the target completion date for projects. At this time, this will affect the estimated construction completion date at North Kirkwood Middle School, Nipher Middle School, Kirkwood High School and Tillman Elementary School. 

The District recently completed the bidding process for renovations and construction at North Kirkwood Middle School, Nipher Middle School and Kirkwood High School. As a result of the quickly changing construction environment, the package came in significantly over budget and would stretch planned contingency funds. The District is committed to finding solutions to budget challenges that do not affect the ultimate results of planned construction.  

“While there are some aspects of construction we cannot control, we can ensure we are clear, direct and transparent when challenges arise and changes are necessary,” said Dr. David Ulrich, superintendent. “Factors, including supply chain concerns and regional labor limitations, are requiring these changes to ensure we can fulfill our promises to add capacity to our schools.”

The updated construction completion for North Kirkwood Middle School would be May 2023 and an updated completion date for Nipher Middle School and Kirkwood High School would be October 2023. The District will also adjust the timeframe for completion at Tillman Elementary School to October 2023. The second phase of Westchester construction would be completed as previously planned by July 2023. 

“Our hope is that additional flexibility in our timeframe will reduce the cost to a manageable amount and come in closer to our budget estimates,” said Mike Romay, Chief Financial Officer. 

The District will continue to evaluate how these changes could affect the District’s work on boundary adjustments. Planned work to engage with the community and develop new boundaries is ongoing. 

Prop R was approved by voters in April 2021. Funds generated from Prop R will provide additional classrooms, security upgrades and accessibility improvements at all schools in the Kirkwood School District to increase capacity. Recently completed projects include HVAC improvements throughout the District, new ADA entrances at North Glendale and Robinson elementary schools and a new secure entrance on the Essex side of Kirkwood High School and at North Glendale. Additionally, the District recently marked the completion of phase one of construction at Westchester Elementary, a two-classroom addition to provide much-needed classroom space.