Oskaloosa Middle School's ongoing renovations are advancing smoothly, allowing an additional roof project to be added years ahead of schedule, thanks to proactive steps taken by Oskaloosa Schools and Boyd Jones Construction.
Pete Perez, director of education and municipal services with Boyd Jones, recently shared how the project has progressed and the steps taken to keep it within budget.
Initially budgeted at $4.7 million, the school’s renovation project has seen significantly reduced costs, dropping to an estimated $3.8 million. The savings, totaling about $625,000, were achieved through careful planning, a sound bidding strategy, and adjusting the project to prioritize essential upgrades.
“We knew there could be unforeseen conditions,” said Perez, acknowledging that the project ran into unexpected roof problems in the east and west gymnasiums. “We had no idea the roofs would need such significant repairs or replacements.”
When these issues came to light, the project team immediately reevaluated the plan, putting the focus on the project’s core drivers of safety, security, and health and wellness.
Roof repairs, initially estimated at $750,000, could have significantly inflated the project budget. To mitigate this, the team proposed deferring less critical elements like gymnasium updates and a new single-use restroom.
“By postponing the finishes in the gymnasiums, we freed up about $475,000,” Perez said. “Then, when the bids came in under budget, we saved another $150,000, bringing the total savings to $625,000.”
This careful management allowed the district to fund the necessary roof repairs without sacrificing key aspects of the project. While the work within the original project scope has remained unchanged, the work within it has been adjusted slightly to include the roof repairs, the project's focus remains on improving school safety and wellness.
The renovations include a new secure entrance, improved administrative offices in which visitors must enter first, and expanded student nursing care facilities. Additionally, a major aspect of the project is upgrading the HVAC system, with air conditioning added to the gymnasiums—something that had been planned, but not fully funded until the savings were realized.
“The scope of the work has remained focused on what’s best for the district and the students,” said Perez. “We’ve also added a few extra features, such as better gymnasium finishes. But our main priority is still safety.”
The project is on track to begin major construction after the school year ends. Perez expects work to kick off in late spring and run through the summer, with substantial completion scheduled for fall 2025. Some tasks, such as the delivery of equipment, may extend slightly beyond this date, but Perez remains confident the team can meet the deadlines.
The team will focus on one gymnasium at a time to minimize disruption during summer activities, with plans to demolish and rebuild the main entrance and administrative areas in the early phases of the project.
“It’s going to be a tight timeline,” Perez said. “We’re calling it a ‘summer slam’ because we have five to six months of work packed into a very condensed schedule.”
Perez emphasized the importance of communication throughout the project.
“The district, board, and community have been extremely engaged,” he said. “By keeping everyone informed and involved, we’re able to make decisions that are in the best interest of the school. That transparency is key to the success of the project, and Oskaloosa Schools is wonderful with keeping everyone informed.”
As the team moves into the next phase of work, Perez and Boyd Jones Construction will continue to monitor the project closely, with the goal of finishing under budget while still meeting all the district’s needs.
“The unforeseen roof issues presented a challenge, but we’ve worked together to find a path forward,” Perez said. “The district now has a clearer understanding of its budget and priorities, and we’re confident we’ll continue to deliver a successful outcome.”
With these adjustments and careful planning, the Oskaloosa Middle School renovation project remains on track. It promises a safer, more modern learning environment for students.
As Perez notes: “We’re committed to getting the job done right.”