Committee-recommended facilities improvements made across the district
Students and staff are returning to safer school campuses with improved learning spaces as a result of summer construction projects in Mehlville School District.
Some of the work included the final HVAC projects in a plan approved by the Mehlville Board of Education in 2024, as well as the final projects using Prop S funds approved by the Mehlville School District community in 2021.
However, the majority of the projects were recommended by the district’s Facilities Steering Committee. The group of parents, staff members and community members met throughout the 2025-2026 school year, touring schools and developing a list of the most important projects at each school in the district.
Recommendations included site improvements, safety and security updates, revamped instructional spaces, restroom modernization, and updates for co-curricular spaces.
Nearly every school in the Mehlville School District received updates this summer or has updates planned for the near future.
Visit the capital projects section of our website to view a full list of completed, ongoing and upcoming projects.
HVAC
Beasley Elementary School underwent a complete Heating, Ventilation and Cooling (HVAC) system replacement. Additionally, Bierbaum Elementary School and Mehlville High School had the HVAC system replaced in sections of those buildings. These were the final HVAC projects in a plan approved by the Mehlville Board of Education in 2024.
At the time, many of the district’s HVAC systems were 20-30 years old. A typical lifecycle for an HVAC system is 15-20 years. Having aging systems often results in an increase in costly repairs and disruptions to learning with students and staff having to move to different sections of the building to stay cool or warm.
During the past three summers, HVAC work has occurred at 14 different schools, as well as the district pool. At this time, all of the district’s HVAC systems are 10 years old or newer.
Image: A drone photo of a crane being used for HVAC work at Mehlville High School.
Parking lots and lighting
One of the Facility Steering Committee’s recommendations included making site improvements to parking lots across the district. During the summer, the parking lots at Blades Elementary School (pictured), Oakville Elementary School, Buerkle Middle School and Oakville High School were refinished.
Image: A drone photo of a completed parking lot construction at Blades Elementary School.
Eleven schools also received improved exterior lighting to make parking lots safer for students, families, staff and the community, especially when participating in night events.
Image: A photo of a new light pole added at Buerkle Middle School.
Restroom modernization and additions
The Facilities Steering Committee also recommended modernizing and adding restrooms at some of the district’s middle and high schools. Work was completed on to modern student restrooms at Mehlville High School and Oakville High School (pictured).
Image: A photo of completed restroom construction at Oakville High School.
Work is ongoing on the addition of student restrooms on the lower level of Buerkle Middle School. Work at Buerkle also includes adding an additional staff restroom. Currently, there is just one staff restroom for the entire building.
Instructional and co-curricular spaces
The Facilities Steering Committee’s recommendations included improving instructional and co-curricular spaces, like libraries, gyms and playgrounds. Work was completed on all three projects this summer.
Libraries
The carpet was replaced in libraries across the district. At Oakville High School (pictured), construction crews also removed the computer lab at the back of the space and created a new Personalized Learning Lab. This classroom will be used by students participating in independent study programs like MyPath.
Image: A photo of completed library construction at Oakville High School.
Gyms
The gym floors were replaced at Oakville Middle School (pictured) and Washington Middle School. Previously, the gym floors at these schools were cracked in many places.
Image: A photo of the gym floor renovation at Oakville Middle School.
Playgrounds
Entering the summer, Point Elementary School and Trautwein Elementary School (pictured) had the oldest playgrounds in the district. Both playgrounds were replaced and security fencing was added to make the area safer for students.
Image: A drone photo of a completed playground construction at Trautwein Elementary School.
New band room
Work is ongoing on a new band room at Buerkle Middle School. The locker rooms on the lower level were removed and will be replaced by a new band room and new student restrooms. The space previously used as the band room is being renovated as a new strings classroom and a staff restroom.
Image: A photo of ongoing construction on a new band room and student restrooms at Buerkle Middle School.
Baseball/softball field improvements
Work is still ongoing on upgrades to the baseball and softball field at Oakville High School. The work includes larger dugouts, a new backstop and a new storage shed for equipment. The field will also be turfed, as well as the area beyond the outfield that has typically been used as a football practice field.
Image: A drone photo of baseball/softball field construction at Oakville High School taken in early July 2026.
Roof replacements
MOSAIC Elementary School and Rogers Elementary School each underwent total roof replacements. These projects were completed using Prop A funds.
Image: A drone photo of construction workers replacing the roof at Rogers Elementary School.
Elevator addition
Work continued on adding an elevator at MOSAIC Elementary School. Currently, a student, parent, staff member or community member using a wheelchair would have to exit the school and travel all the way around the building to travel between the main and lower floors. Additionally, there is no way for them to reach the top floor which is home to third-, fourth- and fifth-grade classrooms.
Work on the elevator is expected to be completed in October 2026.