Probity, the Florence-based contractor that will install the new tracks and athletic fields at Vicksburg and Warren Central high schools, is expected to begin work Monday, Vicksburg Warren School District trustees learned Thursday.

The information on the contractor was part of an update on the school district’s estimated $132 million remodeling and renovation project to upgrade school facilities presented by Bailey Program Management, which is overseeing the project.

The project is funded in part by an $83 million facilities bond referendum approved by voters March 27, and includes projects at each of the district’s 13 schools.

Probity was the low bidder on the project, with a $5.98 million bid for the project to install new running surfaces on the tracks at Vicksburg and Warren Central, and install artificial turf on the Vicksburg High football field and the Warren Central High football, baseball and softball fields.

Concerning other projects, Jason Stewart, a project manager with Bailey Program Management outlined the activity, pointing out that work is underway on the $37 million Vicksburg High renovation and remodeling project.

“They (Thrash Commercial Contractors) have started demoing (demolition) on the frontage (Drummond) street side of the campus,” he said, adding a large magnolia tree had been removed “and it looks like a construction site.”

He said bids for the Warren Central renovation and remodeling project are expected to be open March 7, and bids are expected to be open May 14 for the second phase of the athletic facilities for buildings and amenities.

He said bids for work at Vicksburg and Warren Central Junior high schools are expected to be open May 28.

Stewart told the trustees “when you all leave for the summer, this June, and everything goes before this (project) budget, you will have awarded $100 million in projects in this community. That’s not much more than a year after you guys voted on the bond issue.

“That’s a big deal; that’s over 70 percent of your bond issue will have been awarded a little over a year after you voted on it. That’s big; that’s huge.”