Ball Elementary School Completes $4.5M Geothermal System Conversion

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S. M. Wilson & Co., serving as general contractor, has completed a $4.5-million comprehensive upgrade project for Ball-Chatham Community Unit School District 5 in Chatham, Illinois. The project at Ball Elementary School was designed to enhance energy efficiency and indoor comfort for students and staff, while supporting the district’s commitment to sustainable infrastructure and long-term operational savings. The project centered on converting the school’s existing variable refrigerant flow system to a geothermal system. In addition to the HVAC conversion, the project included complete ceiling replacement throughout the school to accommodate the new mechanical systems and refresh the interior environment. Significant […]

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Mastering Crane Safety on Your Sites

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Why every superintendent needs rigging knowledge — even if they never touch a shackle By: Sean Fuller Cranes command a unique kind of respect on the jobsite. Few pieces of equipment carry as much risk when something goes wrong. According to the Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau, roughly 90% of crane accidents trace back to human error, not mechanical failure — improper communication between personnel, poor load planning and misjudged movement paths. That statistic should keep every superintendent sharp, because our role in crane safety isn’t about operating the equipment. It’s about knowing enough to make sure everyone else is […]

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S. M. Wilson & Co. Receives 2026 Quality Concrete Award for Northwest R-1 School District Bond Program

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The Concrete Council of St. Louis & American Concrete Institute Missouri Chapter has awarded S. M. Wilson & Co. a 2026 Quality Concrete Award for the Proposition S  Bond Program projects for Northwest R-1 School District. S. M. Wilson was the Construction Manager at Risk for the bond program, which included updates to every campus in the district. Precast concrete panels were used in the construction of multi-purpose storm shelter additions at multiple schools. The Quality Concrete Awards celebrate the craftsmanship, innovation and technical excellence behind the region’s most impactful work. S. M. Wilson constructed an athletic gym addition at House Springs Elementary School, […]

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Jacksonville School District, S. M. Wilson Break Ground on New Elementary School

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Jacksonville School District #117 has selected S. M. Wilson & Co. as General Contractor for its new 40,000-square-foot Murrayville-Woodson Elementary School. Scheduled to open for the 2027-28 school year, the new campus will replace the current 108-year-old building and is designed to accommodate future expansion. Last week, district officials, community leaders, faculty, staff and students came together to break ground on the new school. S. M. Wilson’s scope of work includes site work, construction of modern classrooms and learning spaces and improved safety and security features. The new school will be constructed on an eight-acre parcel of land located four […]

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S. M. Wilson Promotes Devan Cobb to Project Superintendent

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S. M. Wilson & Co. has promoted Devan Cobb to project superintendent. Cobb joined the company in fall 2025 and has primarily worked on the firm’s commercial and retail projects, including construction of the new Target in Springfield, Missouri. “Devan has consistently demonstrated the attitude and expertise necessary to succeed in this new role of project superintendent,” said Sean Fuller, S. M. Wilson director of Field Ops. Cobb has 12 years of construction experience, along with strong organizational and communication skills. His ability to guide and manage subcontractors and suppliers while effectively coordinating with owners and architects makes him well […]

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