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Board approves J.M. Cope as CMAR for Parkertown Elementary after qualifications review; questions raised about timeline and documentation
Summary
The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education approved J.M. Cope Construction as construction manager at risk (CMAR) for Parkertown Elementary by a 5–1 vote after a qualifications- and reference-based selection process. Board members asked for clearer documentation of the county budget and for the firm to return with a guaranteed maximum price.
The Iredell-Statesville Board of Education on Feb. 10 approved the selection of J.M. Cope Construction as the construction manager at risk (CMAR) for Parkertown Elementary following a qualifications-based selection process and reference checks. The motion passed 5–1.
Why it matters: Approval of a CMAR begins the district’s preconstruction work and budget refinement for a new elementary school intended to relieve overcrowding at several district schools. The CMAR will develop a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) and a phased budget the board must approve before construction spending begins.
What staff said: Mr. Shankaric, presenting the selection, told the board that nine firms responded to the district’s request, five were interviewed and J.M. Cope emerged as the preferred firm after interview performance and positive local reference checks. "Based on this process and the reference feedback, the selection committee recommends J. M. Cope Construction as a construction manager at risk for Parkertown Elementary School and seeks your approval for this selection," he said. He described the committee as including district staff, board members and a community representative.
Board scrutiny and timeline: Several board members praised the committee process and the firm’s local references. Board member Rhonda Hoke said the interview presentations and materials demonstrated the selected firm’s fit for the project. Ms. Kern, who served on the selection committee, said the rubric- and question-based interview process produced a recommended firm that answered the committee’s diverse concerns.
At the same time, at least one board member raised concerns about transparency and the board’s role. A dissenting board member, Miss Kubinick, urged the district to provide top-choice alternatives or more documentation from the selection committee before board approval to improve transparency and allow fuller board review. She also expressed concern about the short turnaround between interviews and the board vote.
Budget clarification requested: In his presentation Mr. Shankaric said the county had "indicated to us that they're gonna provide us dollars $4,040,000,000 dollars in all in budget for this project." The district did not provide supplemental documentation during the meeting and board members asked staff to return with clearer budget documentation and a schedule. The board was told the goal is to open the new school by August 2027 and that the construction timeline is roughly 16 months once construction starts. The CMAR will next provide preconstruction pricing and a guaranteed maximum price for board approval.
Vote and next steps: The motion to approve J.M. Cope Construction as CMAR carried 5–1. The board instructed staff to return with the CMAR’s preconstruction proposals, a GMP and clearer documentation of county budget support. Staff said the next formal deliverable will be a GMP or phase budgets and that the project schedule is tight if the district is to open in August 2027.
Ending: The board’s approval advances the project into preconstruction; the firm’s GMP and the county’s capital allocation documentation will determine the scope and the final budget that returns for board approval.
