Several Proposition S projects are underway this summer across the Mehlville School District. 

At a Prop S update at the June 9 Board of Education meeting, Superintendent Chris Gaines said “things are getting going” on previously approved projects. 

“Things are getting going, we’re really starting to get going since school is out. Just projects that we talked about last time that were coming are moving,” Gaines said. 

Prop S, for “Safe Schools, Safe Kids,” is a $35 million no-tax-rate increase bond measure approved in April 2021. The money is being used to fund the installation of secure entry vestibules as well as facility upgrades at all of the district’s 18 schools. 

Current projects underway and on schedule this summer include HVAC work at Beasley Elementary and Rogers Elementary. A smaller roof project funded through Prop S is scheduled to be done at Washington Middle in July. Demo work is also in progress at Oakville High School for the secure entry vestibule and restroom renovation, while asbestos abatement is being done at Blades Elementary. 

“Most of the work being done right now is interior work in most of our schools, so if you drive by you don’t see anything,” Gaines said. 

In May Gaines said that new stadium restrooms at Mehlville High School and a new district transportation building funded by Prop S would most likely have to be scrapped from the to-do list due to increased construction costs. Gaines said at the June meeting that staff would be formally requesting the board remove those two projects at the next board meeting June 23. 

The board is also considering hiring a project manager to oversee the construction; Gaines said interviews had been scheduled with two applicants and were on track to have a recommendation soon.