K-12 Construction Tracker 8/20: Foundations and Fields

1. Burbio's K-12 Construction Tracker follows school construction projects from early discussion through completion. By monitoring board meetings, facility plans, bond discussions, and district communications, the Tracker provides continuously updated visibility into projects well before budgets or RFPs are finalized, enabling timely supplier outreach.

One of the filters in the Construction Tracker is the Planning stage, which identifies projects where specific details have not yet been determined. The map below shows the number of Planning-stage opportunities by state identified in meetings held since May:

Examples from the projects above include:

• Boulder Valley School District, CO, is evaluating facility options that could include school consolidations, renovations and modernization, and potentially construction of a new unified school.
• Sioux City Community School District, IA, is forming an advisory committee to evaluate building maintenance, remodeling, and facility replacements across the district.
• St. Charles CUSD 303, IL, is evaluating a $295.6 million long-term facilities plan that includes elementary school additions and a $23 million CTE expansion and renovation project.
• Horry County Schools, SC, has authorized up to $90 million for new construction and renovations through 2029, part of a broader multi-year facilities program supported by $227.6 million in its School Building Fund.
  
  

2. We also evaluate projects by type. Below is an overview of Athletic facilities in all categories mentioned in meetings since May:

Examples from the projects above include:

• Vashon Island School District, WA, is considering a new high school gym as part of a potential bond program, with a final recommendation expected in September 2026.
• DeSoto County School District, FL, has added a community aquatics center to its five-year facilities plan and is evaluating a site near the DeSoto High School football stadium.
• Jordan School District, UT, is planning a $120 million initiative to build six high school field houses. The bond vote to fund the projects is now targeted for November 2027.
• Palm Springs Unified School District, CA, is advancing athletic facility improvements at Desert Hot Springs High School, including a weight room, athletic trainer office, and softball field restrooms, with design funded but the construction scope and budget still being developed.

3. Burbio's School Bond Tracker tracks key bond vote metrics nationwide. The largest bond voting periods occur in the fall and the spring, but some districts, particularly smaller ones, conduct summer bond votes. Several Oklahoma districts are holding bond votes next week. In our examples below, three of the four districts are voting on athletic facilities in addition to other projects:  

• Newcastle Public Schools, OK, votes on a $15 million bond to fund a multi-classroom addition, aviation program classroom expansion, track and infield resurfacing, and a new soccer locker room building with restrooms and concessions.
• Sallisaw Public Schools, OK, has a $23.625 million bond on the ballot to fund construction of a performing arts center and a track and field facility.
• Savanna Public Schools, OK, will vote on a $5.45 million bond to fund HVAC improvements and construction of a new classroom building with a storm shelter.
• Bartlesville Public Schools, OK, is voting on a $38.725 million bond to expand strength and conditioning facilities, construct an extracurricular annex, and fund facility system upgrades including HVAC and roofing, along with technology and curriculum investments.