Board approves bond-funded playground, roofing and abatement contracts
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Summary
The Southfield Board of Education voted unanimously to approve a package of bond-funded construction contracts, including playground equipment, a full roof replacement for Levy School and asbestos abatement for two schools, to keep capital work on schedule for the 2025–26 school year.
The Southfield Board of Education on Tuesday approved several bond-funded construction contracts, awarding bids for playground equipment, a full roof replacement at Levy School and asbestos abatement at multiple sites to support projects scheduled for the 2025–26 school year.
The approvals matter because they put district bond projects into procurement and construction timelines. Board members said the work is time-sensitive: playground equipment procurement was described as “now 12 weeks out,” and roofing work is scheduled to begin in August and finish no later than mid-November.
District staff presented bid results and recommended awards after competitive solicitations. The board approved a package of reports tied to the bond program that the administration had discussed in study sessions over several months, and trustees voted to open and approve the related reports and contracts in a single motion. The board chair moved the item and the motion carried unanimously.
Details presented to the board included a recommended award for a full roof replacement at Levy Middle School, listed in the presentation at $2,200,000, and multiple abatement contracts required to clear hazardous materials before renovation work can proceed. Staff also noted geotechnical borings and additional consultant amendments to support roofing and specialty renovation design work.
Board members emphasized that the district had already discussed the scope and cost details in prior meetings and asked staff to proceed so projects could meet seasonal construction windows. Trustees were told the playground vendor lead time and the roofing schedule made the approvals time-sensitive.
No alternate funding sources or legal authorities were invoked during the vote; the expenditures were described as covered by previously approved bond proceeds. The board did not attach conditions to the awards beyond standard contract approvals and directed staff to finalize contract documents and proceed to purchase and install the equipment and begin abatement and roofing work.
The approvals move several large bond-funded projects into procurement and early construction activity with district staff and consultants authorized to finalize agreements and schedule work.
Looking ahead, staff said they will return to the board with executed contract documents and any required change orders as work progresses.
