Triad bond issue construction updates led new business at forum
By Charles Bolinger
Editor • Associate Superintendent Dr. RodneyWinslow led a discussion of current bond issue building projects during the April 27 Triad Board of Education meeting.
Beginning with Triad Middle School, Winslow said people stop him to ask if there are two separate buildings under construction there but he confirmed it will be one school.
Construction on the new middle school, which began on Oct. 13, 2025, has made significant progress across several key areas as of April.
Major TMS construction milestones include:
Steel framework for the gymnasiums is up along with completed precast panel erection for the auxiliary and main gymnasiums. This work was completed in mid-April, with the rest of the month spent on caulking, detailing and grouting these panels.
In Area C, structural steel erection and detailing continued in April, with steel decking added during the latter half of the month.
Other crews also worked on masonry and modular panel tasks. The Area A stairs were poured in early April; mid-month saw the preparation and pour of the Area A second-floor deck. By month’s end, crews moved to prepping and placing the Area D slab.
On the mechanical side, plumbers and electricians have been consistently performing underground rough-ins across Areas C and D. Crews have begun ceiling rough-ins, layout and hanger installations.
Near the end of April, work started on the layout and installation of exterior metal studs in Area A.
The project has only lost 1.5 days during April to weather and is tracking toward a substantial completion date of July 20, 2027.
There was also an update to Knights’ Crossing, one of the former single-family homes in front of Triad High School, along US 40. Several interior photos taken by administrators indicate the house is nearly ready for occupancy.
At Triad High School, Gelly Excavating finished site grading and installing the crane pad. Work on the south parking lot progressed from the initial setting of rock to completion by the second week. A lay-down area was finished to support the trucks bringing incoming materials to the site.
Most of April’s focus here was foundation work, pouring footings for the auditorium and multipurpose room through April 30.
Camp Electric finished conduit installation within the existing corridor during the first week of April. By the end of that month, preparations were made for Haier Plumbing to begin underground rough-ins at the commons area.
At Marine Elementary, temporary fencing went up on the front parking lot, and the former shed near the main building was removed.
Preparation for footings, including excavation and forms, were done and the foundation footings were successfully poured. A new sanitary line was made, including a rough-in near the principal’s office. Concrete slab prep and pour were supposed to occur during the final week of April.
The board also approved the following items:
SWIC Running Start and Dual Credit intergovernmental cooperation agreement
This is an annual action item that provides approval for Triad to continue with the SWIC Dual Credit and Running Start program.
– The 2026-2027 Dual Credit agreement are for students who are enrolling in dual credit this next school year. These students have registered for these classes at the high school and will enroll in these courses in the Fall, Spring of the upcoming school year.
– The 2027–2028 Running Start agreement is for students who will be enrolling in Running Start for the 2027–2028 school year. This agreement must be approved now because students need to apply during the upcoming school year to prepare for participation in 2027–2028.
Triad High School overnight field trips:
Four students will head to Pflugerville, Texas for Project MFG National Finals on May 5-7
Eight students will go to Arlington Heights, Illinois for the Pitchford Tennis Tournament on May 8-9
Fifteen students will attend the Northern Plains Wrestling Tournament in the Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin, May 8-10
More than 90 THS Band, Color Guard and Choir students will head to Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida to perform during spring break, March 29-April 3, 2027
Renewal with Aramark for 2026-2027 school year
Starting July 1, some of the breakfast and lunch costs are going up. The new breakfast rate will be $2.60 while lunch will rise to $3.88; both are 4% hikes over the previous year.
School asphalt resurfacing
Motion to approve the sealing of the parking lot at Henning and the St. Jacob Elementary School playground with Bi-State Seal Coatings, LLC as presented.
Apple Pilot for the 2026-2027 School Year
The District is wanting to pilot some Apple devices with specific staff members during the 2026-27 school year prior to the refresh of all staff devices for the following year.
Triad High School Stadium Scoreboard purchase
Our current incandescent scoreboard has served the THS stadium for 27 years and is now experiencing reliability issues; the clock has frozen 4-5 times this Spring season, disrupting play and creating operational challenges. The aging technology is increasingly prone to failure and no longer meets the standards of comparable South West Conference facilities. A modern LED video display will provide dependable performance for athletic events, graduation ceremonies, and other stadium functions, while also enhancing the visual experience for our community. The video board will also create valuable learning opportunities for students to develop content and operate the board, similar to programs at other area schools. This upgrade aligns our facility with conference standards and ensures consistent, professional-quality displays for all events, while also generating long-term revenue through advertising and sponsorships, much like our scoretable and digital gym board, to help offset project costs and support other school initiatives. Investing in this replacement now will prevent further game interruptions and provide long-term reliability for years to come.
Furniture purchase with Modern Business Interiors for Marine, THS
During the Nov. 24, 2025 meeting, the Board approved an agreement with Modern Business Interiors, L.L.C. (MBI) for the purchase of furniture with all of our building projects. The furniture within this action item are for classrooms, administrative/nurse offices and the flex room at Marine Elementary School. The furniture for Triad High School is for the art classroom and culinary arts classroom. All of these furnishings will be for use in these spaces during the fall semester of this next year, 2026-2027.
The next Triad Board of Education meeting is May 18 at 6:30 p.m. at the district’s administrative center, 203 E. Throp St. in Troy.
