Board asks for detailed estimates for Chancellor Center, two elementary renovations, middle‑school addition and stadium as master‑plan priorities

The Facilities Committee spent the bulk of its April 3 meeting on the district master plan, focusing on the Chancellor Center building and districtwide priorities. Consultants and staff presented a tiered set of options described as “warm, safe and dry,” capital improvements, full renovation and full renovation plus site work, and the committee directed staff to produce detailed estimates for a short list of projects.

Key numbers and options presented - ‘Warm, safe and dry’ (essentials): staff and consultants estimated roughly $6.5 million to address immediate, essential items that remove water infiltration and correct critical HVAC and structural issues. Doug Taylor of CHA consulting explained the approach: “Let’s create this essential column so we can start to answer that question… boiler replacement, caulking for water infiltration issues, concrete work if there’s any tripping hazards or stairs or things, ceiling tile if any of those are wet or or problematic.” - Capital improvements (items listed in the district capital plan): approximately $7.7 million, which addresses items on the capital plan but does not fully renovate program spaces. - Total renovation (interior programmatic renovation): about $11.4 million, which would replace and refresh most interior finishes and systems. - Full renovation plus site work (inclusive, programmatic and site fixes): roughly $15.6 million.

Temporary relocation and chiller costs Staff described options to relocate the Chancellor Center staff while work proceeds. Moving estimates to put Chancellor Center into Richborough Middle School included a move‑only cost of about $43,100 and an additional packing estimate of roughly $13,680 for four packers over four days. Staff reported a one‑time installation and removal fee for a temporary chiller at Richborough of $25,142 and prior rental costs of about $15,560 per month. Those numbers were described as current estimates based on past work; staff said they would solicit multiple vendor quotes.

Lease and alternate property pricing A realtor provided sample lease options for off‑site administrative space: a 30,000 sq. ft. building at $28.50/sq. ft. (~$855,000/year), a 26,000 sq. ft. two‑floor property at $24.50/sq. ft. (~$637,000/year) (that property was also described as being for sale; transcript figures about sale price were inconsistent and staff said they would verify), and a 9,000 sq. ft. single‑floor building at about $22/sq. ft. (~$638,000/year). Committee members repeatedly noted leasing would be expensive, and some board members said multi‑year leasing would not make financial sense if the district plans to retain and renovate Chancellor Center.

Risk and timing concerns Consultants and staff warned that using Richborough Middle School again carries risk: the building is older and has 60‑year‑old boilers and roof systems, and some systems would need replacement — work that could make continued short‑term occupancy risky. Staff emphasized that foundation/drainage work at Chancellor Center is extensive and could require emptying the building during construction; this domino effect can trigger additional work such as HVAC replacement, exterior paving and site utilities. Doug Taylor said the full design, approvals and procurement process will likely take about a year from decision to construction start, and many renovation projects would be phased across summers and school years.

Board direction After discussion, the committee asked staff and consultants to prepare more detailed, itemized cost estimates (including likely phasing and preliminary schedules) for a short list of projects: Welsh Elementary School renovation, Newtown Elementary School renovation, Chancellor Center (both the warm‑safe‑dry essentials option and the full renovation/site option), a small addition at Holland Middle School to address cafeteria/dining capacity, and a modest stadium upgrade concept. Committee members asked staff to return with refined budgets and sequencing recommendations the board can use to decide which projects to borrow for and when.

What remains unresolved - Several quoted prices (notably a sale price referenced for one lease property) were inconsistent in the transcript and staff said they would confirm and document all vendor and broker estimates in the next report. - The committee did not adopt any resolution or take a formal vote at the meeting; members requested follow‑up details and timelines for the next meeting.