De Soto #73 School District Summer Construction and Phase II Restructuring Update
This summer, De Soto #73 School District is making significant progress across the district through major bond-funded improvements, restructuring efforts, and facility upgrades designed to enhance learning environments, accessibility, safety, and long-term operational efficiency.
Bond Measure Projects Moving Forward
Several major projects funded through the district bond measure are currently underway, including:
HVAC system upgrades
Roofing improvements
High School vestibule construction
ADA accessibility improvements to the corridor at De Soto Primary School (formerly Athena)
These projects represent continued investment in district facilities and are progressing on schedule. (More information and updates on these projects can be found below.)
Phase II Restructuring Update
District restructuring efforts continue to move forward successfully.
All internal building moves have now been completed. During the week of June 8, ABC Quality Moving Company began transporting furniture and materials between buildings and will return the week of June 15 to finalize remaining moves. District leaders anticipate that all furniture and classroom supply relocation efforts will be completed during that week.
Additional Summer Projects Across the District
Several additional projects are helping prepare schools for the upcoming year:
Refinishing of the High School gym floor is scheduled to begin June 22 and is expected to take approximately one week.
Brand-new playground installations have been completed at the ECC on Rock Road and the ECC at De Soto Primary. Both playgrounds will feature modern Pour and Play surfacing supported through grant funding. Additional Pour and Play surfacing was also added to the De Soto Primary playground (paid for by grant funding).
Teachers and work study students have been painting classrooms districtwide. This initiative created summer work opportunities for staff members whose typical summer school schedules were reduced this year due to construction and relocation efforts. With classrooms already cleared for moves, crews have been able to work efficiently and are currently ahead of schedule.
Student Work Study and Maintenance Projects
Work study students have also contributed significantly this summer.
Students are helping remodel a former district storage house that will become office space for the Maintenance and Food Service departments. They have also supported annual grounds improvements.
This year, student workers partnered with School Resource Officers to identify opportunities to improve Safety Through Environmental Design (STED). A major focus area involved removing and trimming oversized landscaping to improve visibility around buildings while enhancing overall campus appearance.
Earlier this summer, materials and furniture from the Dragon Annex were relocated to their new location on the secondary campus.
District maintenance and custodial teams continue balancing these large-scale projects while maintaining regular grounds upkeep and responding to work orders across all campuses.
Additionally, siding replacement is underway at the secondary campus auditorium. The middle school cafeteria siding was replaced earlier this year. Replacement is the result of prior storm damage. The project is being completed through insurance coverage, with only a $2,500 deductible cost to the district.
Building-by-Building Progress
De Soto Primary (DPS): HVAC, roofing, ADA corridor improvements, painting, classroom moves, and playground installation are all occurring simultaneously. Multiple contractors, district staff, and student workers continue coordinating schedules and rotating workspaces as projects advance. Most painting, relocation, and playground work is already complete.
De Soto Intermediate (DIS): HVAC, roofing, painting, and classroom movement projects remain underway. Work continues at or ahead of projected timelines through coordination among contractors and district teams.
De Soto Middle School (DMS): Roofing and metal work are progressing throughout the campus. Summer school programming continues inside the building with minimal disruption. Once summer school concludes, HVAC construction will begin.
De Soto High School (DHS): Construction of the new secure vestibule is progressing quickly. Demolition of former office and foyer spaces began immediately after students departed for summer and rebuilding efforts followed immediately. Roofing and HVAC projects remain on schedule. Installation of large rooftop HVAC units temporarily impacted gym usage and summer camps, but the interruption was minimal and work continues to move forward.
Early Childhood Center (ECC): The previous playground has been removed and replaced with a new playground installation. Administrative offices have also been relocated to better support families and staff.
Summer School Adjustments
While summer school offerings were intentionally reduced this year to accommodate construction and facility work, essential programs including credit recovery and Extended School Year services continued without interruption through a consolidated location at De Soto Middle School.
Looking Ahead
The district has benefited from favorable weather conditions this summer, with limited rain days, manageable humidity levels, and better climate control than anticipated. These conditions have allowed many projects—especially painting—to move ahead of schedule.
District administration continues meeting weekly with project managers to review progress, coordinate logistics, and maintain accountability toward project milestones.
At this time, the district remains optimistic and focused on achieving its targeted August 1 completion timeline to ensure schools are ready to welcome students and staff for the upcoming school year.