Farmington’s New High School: 99% Done, But Don’t Hold Your Breath for That Auditorium

Farmington School Board Update: High School Nears Completion, Invoices Fly, and the Auditorium Gets Cleaned

By Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury

The Farmington school board gathered last night to hash out construction updates, finances, and community news. While the meeting had its fair share of paperwork and procedural talk, there was plenty of progress—and a few fun surprises—worth noting. Here’s the full scoop.

High School Construction: Almost There!

Farmington High School is 99% complete, according to Nelson Ambrose of O&G Industries, the project’s construction manager. The big-ticket item still in the works? The auditorium. It’s set for final cleaning and inspection today, with the goal of handing it over to the school in time for the upcoming open house on September 26th.

Other areas, like the Black Box Theatre and the parking lots, are nearly done too. And while the HVAC system isn’t fully balanced yet (currently at 70%), Ambrose assured everyone that this will be finished before the winter chill hits.

Mike Grady, board member, raised a quirky yet heartfelt concern: students are missing the colorful posters from the old school’s library. Superintendent Kathy Greider smiled as she promised that new student artwork would soon decorate the halls. The school’s design has built-in display spaces for just this purpose—so it’s only a matter of time before the vibrancy returns.

Show Me the Money: Invoices and Change Orders

Of course, what’s a meeting without some serious financial talk? The board approved a flurry of invoices and change orders. Let’s break it down:

Approved Invoices:

• TFPC Studio: $42,000 for construction administration services.
• O&G Industries: $430,633.47 for project management, site work, and additional student parking.
• Independent Materials Testing Labs: $4,873.30 for ongoing materials testing.
• Innovative Engineering Services: $5,000 for HVAC commissioning.
• Arcadis: $15,000 for project management and moving logistics.
• JT Homes: $50,000 for finalizing furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E).
• Norcom Technology: $20,000 for audiovisual installations.
• Vintage King Audio: $13,000 for installing auditorium audio systems.
• Meijer: $8,000 for moving services.
• Sweetwater Technology: $10,000 for tech installations.
• Robert H. Lord Company: $1.3 million for school furniture.
• Valley Communications: $5,000 for communication system setup.
• Total Fitness Equipment: $13,000 for gym equipment.
• Tucker Library Interiors: $82,616.54 for library shelving.
• Atlas Technical Consultants: $4,873.30 for materials testing during demolition.

Change Orders:

• Change Order #109: $8,000 to hide the sprinkler system on the third floor.
• Change Order #148: A $5,100 credit for a fence adjustment.
• Change Order #150: $50,354 for two pedestrian crossings at Monteith Drive and Route 4.
• Change Order #152: $4,456 for five extra network drops to accommodate furniture.
• Change Order #154: $1,592 for an additional rack for clocks and PA systems.
• Change Order #156: $10,482 for an air handler in the ceramics room.
• Change Order #157: $13,878.51 for hot water recirculation in the field house showers.

These costs, while significant, are part of keeping the project on track and making sure everything works as expected once the school is fully operational.

Mark Your Calendars: Open House on September 26th

Excited to see the new high school for yourself? You’ll get your chance on September 26th during the official open house. From 9 AM to 3 PM, guided tours will be offered every 30 minutes. But don’t just show up—sign up in advance via SignUpGenius. Groups will be capped at 20 people per tour.

You’ll get a close look at the Black Box Theatre, the high-tech classrooms, and the cafeteria—officially named “The Grove.” And for those parents attending the October 26th parent-teacher conferences, you’ll have another opportunity to explore.

Trash Cans and Tech

In other, less glamorous but highly necessary news, the board approved a purchase of trash cans for classrooms and common areas, filling a gap in the original plan. Cost? $2,215. It’ll come from the owners’ contingency fund.

Meanwhile, the board also approved $5,600 for additional AV services during August’s convocation, since some of the permanent equipment wasn’t yet ready for primetime. Sometimes, you’ve just got to rent.

What’s Next?

The board will reconvene on October 7th to continue discussions on wrapping up the final pieces of the high school construction and to look at what’s next for the district. Demolition of the old high school’s 1928 building is also progressing, with selective demolition complete and full teardown to follow soon.

Special Thanks to Farmington Storage

And let’s give a special shoutout to Farmington Storage, located at 155 Scott Swamp Road. Whether you need to store vintage school posters or those tennis rackets while the courts are getting resurfaced, they’ve got you covered. Call them at 860.777.4001 or visit FarmingtonStorage.com. Because sometimes, even your clutter needs a vacation.