Carson schools get summer facelift after plan approval

School’s out and the summer construction season’s in at Carson High School.

Last month, the Carson City School Board approved its revised Capital Improvements Plan (CIP), which shows the latest work by the district’s Facilities Master Planning and Bond Oversight Committee to move on its latest projects. Updates to the plan help the district identify for the next five years its priorities in repairs, revitalization or other maintenance needs.

Chief Financial Officer Spencer Winward said the living document frequently is refined as facilities age or as opportunities present themselves to bring savings. The district works to build and maintain at least $3.6 million to $4 million for its capital projects for the 2025 year in its “Pay As You Go” account and is increasing that for the following four years.

Major activity at Carson High, once school ended last week, almost immediately stopped and construction manager at risk Plenium Builders went to work on this year’s larger summer projects on site.

“Mr. (Mark) Johnson (capital and special projects manager) has been focused on preparation for projects that, literally, the second students step out the door, there’s going to be construction workers walking back in,” Winward said.

The high school’s restrooms and chemistry labs will be gutted and upgraded at the north and south end and converted into a general use style, similar to what has been designed for other schools. The chemistry labs will have tables added and new showers installed to help students clean up in case of spills.

Carson High’s north parking lot will receive a refresh with a crack and slurry seal. Summer school and activities will continue as work is underway.

Winward told the board one difference in budgeting for this year’s CIP is it likely will be split between fiscal years.

“Our fiscal year was cut off in the middle of it,” Winward said. “The chemistry project (at CHS) was budgeted for $600,000, and $200,000 of that lives in this year and $400,000 of that lives in next year’s budget.”

Determinations were still being made about how much would be needed by July 1, the official start of the district’s fiscal year, and Winward said it’s important to remain cautious not to underestimate nor exceed how much of its funding is still needed for this year. Revisions would be revised “after the summer project dust settles,” he said.

One factor to be considered, according to Superintendent Andrew Feuling, is the potential Lompa Ranch land purchase for which the board authorized him to provide a notice of intent to acquire last year. Any possibility of purchasing the land within a certain timeframe provides the board the budget authority without having to make further adjustments to the final budget that recently was approved, he told trustees.