September 30, 2024

It's been six weeks since our last new construction update and there are a lot of important dates and deadlines over the next two months to ensure the construction of the new elementary school for the North Callaway R-1 School District.

October 2: Page Turn Meeting—This is the final meeting between the District Executive Committee, the architect, the engineers, and Navigate, the project's construction management group. This team will review every detail to ensure all designs are ready for a general contractor.

October 22 at 2:00 p.m. - High School Library - Navigate will facilitate a pre-bid meeting for interested general contractors and local subcontractors. The district desires to have local entities competitively bid on the project.

November 12 @ 2:00 p.m. - All bids are due to the North Callaway R-1 School District Central Office by 2:00 p.m. Bids will be time and date stamped when received.

November 14: Contractor Interviews - Navigate will review all bids and provide 2-3 of the most competitive bids for the project. The Executive Committee will interview these general contractors.

November 21: The North Callaway R-1 School District will approve a contract with a general contractor.

While we hoped to be able to break ground in December, it is likely to be January before we officially break down. Holidays such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, and the New Year will make it challenging to break ground in January. However, we are excited to kick off 2025 with a groundbreaking ceremony for the new school. Right now, we are right on schedule for a targeted finish date of June 2026. This will allow the district to take occupancy over summer 2026 and then for the first group of students to start in August 2026.

Please look for our next update after the November 21 Board of Education for the selection of the general contractor for the project. This project would not be possible without the commitment and loyalty of our district patrons. We hope to ensure every phase of this project reflects the true meaning of being Thunderbird Proud.

• 3 Classrooms per grade level

• 2 Additional Classrooms for grade levels with larger class sizes

• 3 Special Education classrooms

• Art Room

• Music Room

• Library

• Breakout Spaces

• Varsity Size Gym - Seating for 400

• Cafeteria - F4 Tornado Shelter - mandatory

• Main Offices - 2 Administrators, Counselor(s), Teacher Workroom, Mothers’ Room, Conference Room, Faculty Bathroom

• PT/OT space

• Title I Reading Room

• Gifted Education Room

• Playgrounds

• Secure entrances

The Board of Education approved the FY25 Budget in June. This budget reflects the generosity of the community in providing more competitive salaries for teachers and non-certified positions. Teacher base salary moved from $32,500 to $36,000. And, the non-certified base moved from $12.50/hour to $13.50/hour. Community support helped the district recruit and retain teachers and employees for the 2024-25 school year. Below is a breakdown of how every dollar approved as part of Proposition C was used to increase teacher and non-certified salaries for employees. The district has a ways to go to reach the new state minimum of $40,000 as a result of SB727. However, the combined efforts of Props N+C will help make it a reality.