Officials say Old Central Elementary renovation contingency has been exhausted; $400,000 raise recommended

District staff and the project manager for the Old Central Elementary renovation told the board that the project has encountered unforeseen conditions that have used more than $450,000 of the original $650,000 contingency and that the team recommends raising contingency to $1,075,000.

Austin Beyer, senior project manager with the district’s construction partner, said the building — constructed in 1951 — has hidden conditions typical for work in older structures. Beyer identified principal cost drivers as removing and replacing deteriorated site concrete to match district standards (about $50,000), electrical and technology cabling and equipment upgrades in the preschool area (about $150,000), extensive wall and drywall repairs where multiple layers or water damage were uncovered (about $160,000), and other electrical items (about $70,000). He also cited clerestory windows that show water damage and may require repair or replacement.

Mr. Dennis told the board the original prime bids for the project were just under $9.3 million and said the district currently has $53,078,525.75 of contract work under the bond series that supports multiple projects. He said the district has roughly $8.7 million of that authorization remaining and has already earned $886,000 in interest on bond proceeds as of Aug. 31. Based on those figures, staff recommended increasing the project contingency by just under $400,000; Mr. Dennis said the increase does not exceed the district’s current authorization.

Project staff emphasized a preference to “make it right” rather than leave visible deficiencies that would require earlier follow‑up work. The recommendation was informational at the meeting; no formal contingency increase vote was recorded in the public minutes provided.