New Springfield High School cost hits $30 million
SPRINGFIELD >> The school district continues to advance the $130 million high school master plan with a series of contracts. September’s agreements totaling $410,080 included four approvals and submission of necessary documents to the commonwealth which will result in reimbursement.
A proposal submitted by ATC Group Services LLC will address environmental project abatement, oversight and monitoring for the high school “Blue Gym” demolition to be completed in the summer of 2019. Total projected costs are $46,310.
The same organization has been approved for a proposal, projected at $232,720, for those services plus construction bid documentation for demolition of the entire high school and administrative building. That phase of the project is to be planned and completed over the next 24 to 30 months, according to the agreement. Demolition will not begin until completion and readiness of the new school, but contract approval now is needed for the design process.
A third contract was approved for Schrader Group Architecture, which has been involved since the inception of the project. The proposal is for additional master plan engineering services for development of construction documentation for bid packages for phases two through four of the project. Services will be invoiced based on actual hours incurred and fixed fees for certain segments, and is projected at $79,950.
While this phased strategy may seem “piecemeal” to the general public, planning, management and financing for the master plan (comprising the school building and all site improvements on campus) have taken place in logistical stages.
“The entire process follows careful and deliberate management of such an extensive project,” agreed Schools Superintendent Tony Barber and School Director Kevin Keenan, chair of the Facilities Committee.
Management and assurance the master plan progresses in an efficient and professional manner is the focus of a fourth contract. Capital Management, Inc. has been tasked with the construction schedule review and consulting services to be provided during the construction period for the new high school and stadium. Services are not to exceed $51,100. District Executive Director Don Mooney said these services are in addition to the onsite management by the CID Group.
“This is much more detailed oversight on every part of construction, and it’s critical to progressing,” said Mooney.
Capital Management’s job is to track every phase - seeing what is behind, on time or ahead of schedule (the latter has a financial incentive for contractors.) The district has a goal of completed school construction by July 2020.
In one action in late September, the board approved filing Plan Con Part G and Part H with the Pennsylvania Department of Education, along with the related materials for the master plan. The district’s project was timed to qualify for Plan Con, a comprehensive and extensive 11-step submission which will qualify for reimbursement of up to $12 million.
The district will continue to keep the public apprised of activities, contracts and any necessary adjustments to high school operations.