Marshalltown school officials and the project design team presented updated design-development drawings for Miller Middle School and described remaining budget and schedule work during the July 14 board meeting. Tim, a designer with Envision, opened the presentation and said the materials showed the project in the design development phase and that "we haven't been here to present any design updates since March. And so tonight you're going to get to see a glimpse of where we're at with our design development phase."

The presentation showed exterior and interior renderings, additions that include a three-story classroom wing at the southwest corner, a new commons and kitchen off the east side and an auxiliary gym/storm shelter on the north side. The team described durable base materials such as precast at lower levels and textured metal panels above, increased transparency to highlight historic facades, secure outdoor learning courtyards and interior strategies for wayfinding and acoustics.

Pete, a district project representative, summarized cost and schedule work and said the design is now at roughly 65% "design development documents existing," and that earlier in April the project had "a budget stretch of just over $5,000,000." He also told the board the team is carrying "about 5.5% to 6% construction contingency" to cover unknowns that may appear once demolition and foundations begin, and that abatement for asbestos and lead is included in the current budget.

Board member Leah Stanley asked about phasing and the effect on building access. Pete said preliminary phasing plans are ready and the team will present detailed still images and digital animations within several weeks to show how construction will move from phase to phase and how exit/egress and supervision will be maintained during work. Pete and other staff said the team is targeting 100% design development documents in early August, 50% construction documents in mid-September, plans to go to market just before Christmas and a likely bid receipt target of early to mid-February; mobilization was described as starting in April.

Project staff emphasized the ongoing refinement of site work and foundation options to control costs (for example, evaluating whether some retaining walls can be eliminated by grading), and said they are working with Boyd Jones and contractors to value-engineer demolition, site grading, and foundation systems. The team also reported continuing user-group engagement: administration has seen the update and teachers’ user-group sessions on classroom function and casework occurred earlier in the process and will resume when staff return.

No formal board action was taken on Miller during the meeting; the presentation was informational and the team asked for feedback and said they would return with phasing visuals and finalized 100% design development documents.

Why it matters: Miller is a major bond-funded school renovation and addition that will affect campus circulation, instructional spaces and stormwater/site work. The remaining contingency, abatement, phasing and the market response on bid day will determine how close the final construction contract costs come to the current budget.