Most of the District’s eight buildings had been constructed in the 1960’s with only minor modifications made to each over the years. The goal of the District’s $25-million referendum was to improve the physical condition of its schools to make them conducive to teaching and learning. This was especially important due to their commitment to implementation of an advanced integrated technology program.
Life-safety and maintenance improvements included: ceiling and lighting replacement; domestic water piping replacement; power and distribution upgrades; air conditioning and ventilation improvements; parking and traffic safety enhancements; toilet room renovations; asbestos abatement; casework replacement; locker replacement; and ADA upgrades, including new elevators.
Other capital enhancements included: building security upgrades; conversion of open classrooms to enclosed classrooms to improve the teaching environment; new kitchen and expanded cafeteria spaces; new science laboratories; additional classrooms; building circulation improvements; new service dock; and technology infrastructure upgrades.
To reconcile the disparity between the identified needs and available funding, STR and the construction manager worked closely with the School District to examine cost-effective and logistically feasible alternatives for consideration and prioritization. Money, time and disruption to academics and building operations were weighed against one another to develop a defined project scope and associated delivery schedule that satisfied the District’s needs. This extremely complex project was completed on budget in only 15 months of construction, with no loss of teaching days.
