Inman Elementary Construction Update: Doors Expected Thursday, Air Conditioning Delayed

Inman Elementary Construction Update: Doors Expected Thursday, Air Conditioning Delayed

 

 

Construction at Inman Elementary remains the most closely watched item as Red Oak Community School District prepares to welcome students. Superintendent Ron Lorenz provided a detailed update both during the August 19 board meeting and in a follow-up interview.

“The big question is, are we going to be ready to go for school?” Lorenz said. “The answer to that is absolutely.”

The long-awaited storefront doors were scheduled to be hung Thursday, August 20. Installation will allow the district to close the building envelope, improve security, and begin addressing interior climate issues. “That’s going to enable us to not just secure the building, but close the envelope so that we can start to address some of the climate issues within the building,” Lorenz explained.

Air conditioning remains the primary complication. The condenser unit approved at a recent special meeting had not yet arrived as of Wednesday evening. Startup of the system, originally planned for Thursday, was pushed back to Monday. Lorenz said the explanation for the delay was “not satisfactory from my perspective” and that some parties may have overpromised.

With cooler weather forecast for early next week (highs near 76 degrees), the district is arranging portable cooling units and fans. Staff will also explore operating the unit’s fans without full cooling and opening windows to exchange air. “We’ve had a building that’s been without air for several weeks, and it’s warm in there. And it’s kind of sticky,” Lorenz noted. “We’re going to start working on that tomorrow and try to figure out just where we are, but I anticipate we’re going to have school as usual.”

Student arrival logistics will temporarily change. The main front doors will remain inaccessible while finish work continues in the secure vestibule. Students who normally enter through the main entrance will be directed through a west-side cafeteria door. Parent drop-off will return to the familiar parking-lot patterns used earlier this year, avoiding the need to retrain drivers. “It’s harder to retrain the adults than it is the kids,” Lorenz observed.

A formal punch-list walkthrough is scheduled for Tuesday morning. Floors are complete, the cafeteria and kitchen are functional, and fire alarms are operational. Lorenz praised contractors for working overtime and weekends, and noted that Boyd Jones has assisted with cleanup. “I definitely think our parents and our community are going to be proud of the space,” he said.

Board members who have toured the site echoed the positive outlook on the finished appearance and improved security features, including better sight lines from the front office. Lorenz declined to rule out an early dismissal if interior temperatures prove problematic, saying simply, “I never say never.” For now, the district expects a normal start.