Sheboygan Area School District selects Quashas and CD Smith partnership as construction manager
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Summary
After a multi-month procurement process, the Sheboygan Area School District board approved the Quashas and CD Smith partnership as construction manager for its referendum project. The board was told the firm's proposal is under the referendum budget and construction is targeted to begin in spring 2026.
The Sheboygan Area School District Board of Education approved selecting the Quashas and CD Smith partnership as construction manager for the district's referendum-funded school project.
District staff told the board the district began seeking a construction manager in November 2023, received qualifications from five firms, shortlisted two local teams (including Joseph Schmidt and Quashas), and interviewed candidates. Quashas elected to partner with Fond du Lac's CD Smith Construction for the project; staff recommended the partnership based on team qualifications, proposed on-site superintendents and project management, and overall capacity.
A district staff member said the combined organizations do about $600,000,000 of construction volume annually and highlighted a recent large project completed by the Quashas/CD Smith team, the Baird Center in Milwaukee, which the presenter described as a $450 million-plus undertaking. Staff added that the Quashas/CD Smith fee and general-conditions proposal is below the referendum budget, which the district said gives them a favorable starting position for budget management.
Board members asked about the construction timetable; the district staff member said, "We're targeting construction beginning in spring of 2026." The presenter also said the intent is to finish design and bidding during the remainder of the calendar year and then award subcontracts so site work can begin the following spring. The transcript records board confirmation that students would remain in their schools during the 2025-26 school year.
Board members praised the emphasis on local participation. One board member thanked staff for prioritizing local firms and noted the district still expects to bid and award roughly $120,000,000 or more in subcontractor work as design and bidding proceed.
The board then moved and seconded a motion to approve the Quashas and CD Smith Group as construction manager "upon the terms discussed in closed session." After brief discussion — one board member specifically cited confidence in the contractor's insurance coverage — the Board Chair called the vote: "All in favor? Aye. Chair votes aye. Motion carries."
The transcript does not include a roll-call listing of how each board member voted, nor does it provide the final signed construction manager contract. The board recorded approval of the selection and directed staff to continue design, bidding and phasing work with the selected construction management team.
