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Bedford City board authorizes submission of design‑development documents for new middle and K–2 schools
Summary
The Bedford City Board of Education voted 5–0 to authorize submission of design‑development documents for a new middle school and a K–2 school to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission, following a presentation from the district's design team on schedule, value‑engineering and site plans.
The Bedford City Board of Education on Feb. 20 voted unanimously to authorize submission of design‑development documents for the new middle school and the K–2 school to the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission (OFCC).
The board’s motion, moved by Miss Macklin and seconded by Miss Boynton, passed 5–0 after a presentation from the district’s design team and questions from board members. Doctor Johnson said the district seeks the OFCC submission to move the projects toward bidding and construction.
GPD architect Russell provided the design update and schedule. He told the board the design‑development drawings have been submitted to the OFCC and that the district expects an early site guaranteed maximum price (GMP) package to be presented to the board in April and subcontractor bidding in May. "We did submit our design development submission documents, per the OFCC requirements," Russell said.
Russell and district staff described two cost‑management steps the team is pursuing: targeted value engineering to substitute less costly materials or detailing without changing core learning spaces, and scope reductions focused on locally funded items that are not part of the OFCC‑cofunded program. One example presented was removing a pre‑K wing from the K–2 building and locating that program elsewhere in the district to reduce current project costs while preserving future capacity.
The design team also recommended relocating the district administration (the Board of Education office) from a planned new construction at the 68 Building into an existing facility to cut costs. Russell said removing the Board of Education portion improved the site circulation and drop‑off configuration at the Bedford 6–8 (Heskett) site and reduced the area of underground detention needed on the K–2 site.
On schedule, Chris Montgomery of Pansy (design/construction management) told the board the team remains on track for opening the middle school and the new K–2 in 2027 and the high school in 2028, with major site work starting in May. Russell said moving some building mass reduced earthwork on the K–2 site and allowed an above‑ground dry detention basin — a budget advantage compared with deeper underground detention structures.
Doctor Johnson confirmed the board will see an early‑site GMP for the middle school in April and a subsequent GMP for the K–2 school a few weeks later. Those early‑site packages will include underground utilities and major earthwork.
The board’s formal action was a resolution authorizing staff to submit the design‑development documents to the OFCC; the motion was made by Miss Macklin and seconded by Miss Boynton and passed on a 5–0 roll call. No amendments were offered during the vote.
Board members and staff said they will continue value‑engineering efforts while referencing the district’s 2022 master plan visions to avoid changes that would alter promised learning spaces. Staff also committed to continued community communications; an email update compiling changes was noted as having been sent to residents.
