2026-10-29 | Special Board Meeting

The Taylor School District special board meeting on October 29, 2026, focused on a proposed renovation and redesign of Taylor High School. The superintendent reviewed the 2021, $130 million bond proposal and the project’s history: approximately $31 million in bonds have been sold and spent on previously approved district improvements, while about $100 million remains unsold. The district concluded that the original new-school plan was unaffordable and presented a renovation intended to fit within available project funds. The design includes updated classrooms and labs, improved natural light and security, a centralized cafeteria, and phased construction that would keep students on site. The architect described an estimated $62 million bid-day cost and approximately $75 million in hard construction costs including contingency and escalation; furniture, permits, design, and other costs are additional. Pool work is planned for a later phase, with bidding anticipated around 2028 and construction in 2030, subject to available funds.

The team identified The Collaborative as architect, Barton Malow as construction manager/owner’s representative, and PFM as bond-sales adviser. Bid documents are expected in February 2027, with bids and an award anticipated in spring 2027; abatement and phased construction are planned to begin in summer 2027 and continue through 2030. Officials said the board would consider the redesign and bond-sale actions at a subsequent meeting, and clarified that the district is not legally required to sell the remaining bonds, though authorization to sell would continue. Public questions addressed the bond’s potential tax impact, project phasing, asbestos monitoring, pool funding, career and technical education facilities, and vendor due diligence. The only recorded vote was approval of the meeting agenda, 7–0; no project award or bond-sale vote occurred at this meeting.