The borough assembly voted unanimously June 23 to approve a $6,330,400 contract with Sitka-based McG Constructors for major renovations across the three school buildings and the swimming pool roof.

Work is expected to start late summer, with completion by August 2027.

The competitive bidding process concluded on June 17, drawing two proposals. McG Constructors submitted the lowest bid, which covers the primary renovation work alongside five additional project options that were included in the contract.

The additions include replacing the elementary school gymnasium flooring, upgrading the high school commons windows and exterior walls, reconstructing a concrete apron and sidewalk on Reid Street, and replacing both the metal and flat sections of the swimming pool roof.

A diverse mix of funding will support the sweeping upgrades. Sources include a nearly $6.5 million grant from the Alaska Department of Education in 2024, paired with more than $4 million from voter-approved bonds in 2022 and earned interest.

Federal funds will also assist, with a $694,339 community development block grant specifically designated for the middle school roof.

Additionally, the school district contributed $90,000 for the gym floor, while $1 million from the borough’s reserves of federal Secure Rural Schools money will cover the pool roof.

Dawson Construction was the other bidder, at $6.8 million, almost $500,000 above McG.

Capital Projects Director Amber Al-Haddad noted that the flat roofs at Evergreen Elementary and Stikine Middle School are scheduled for total replacement. The elementary roof is a top priority, having outlived its 20-year lifespan after last being replaced in 1998.

“We have asked that they prioritize the elementary roof if they do any of them this summer,” Al-Haddad said.

The high school will see three of its five flat roofs replaced.

Because the bids came in lower than expected, project managers now have extra flexibility.

“All in all we got some really good numbers,” Al-Haddad said. “Our approach when putting it out to bid was proactive in order to not overshoot the budget and limit the scope. It leaves us more room to add scope for the projects.”

With the extra financial breathing room, she said the plan is to add school siding replacement to the work and investigate a fourth section of flat roof at the high school. Al-Haddad explained that heavy staining found near the high school suggests water has been leaking where two buildings meet.

“When we get behind the siding, we will be able to see what the extent of any rot may be,” she said, adding that “there are different intricacies with all of the roofs.”

The swimming pool roof brings its own unique structural hurdles. Al-Haddad explained that the sloped areas are a completely different beast than the flat roofs.

Construction will see limited outdoor work completed this summer, she said. The finalized timeline targets an overall project completion date of August 2027.