Wayne County board approves guaranteed maximum price for Rosewood Middle School; groundbreaking set for April 17

The Wayne County Public Schools Board of Education on March 19 approved a guaranteed maximum price for the Rosewood Middle School project, moving the multi‑phase construction plan forward after the county Board of Commissioners approved the GMP a day earlier.

Dr. Harrell, who presented the item to the board, said, “Item C is the guaranteed maximum price for Rosewood Middle School,” and told members the exhibits and GMP amendment had been legally reviewed and recommended by the Facilities Committee. He said the commissioners had approved “the total GMP which includes everything right now, which was a little over $38,000,000.”

Why it matters: the GMP consolidates items needed to finish the new building and related site work so contractors can begin staging. The board recorded that the GMP covers multiple phases and allowances and that the project requires additional contracts and change requests that staff will bring back at the April 7 meeting for legal review and formal approval.

Board discussion and numbers: presenters described the GMP as comprising a roughly $31 million base (phase 2 and related items) plus additional allowances of about $2.8 million for phase 1, with architect fees of about $2.6 million and other district site‑preparation expenses resulting in the roughly $38 million total. Staff also identified a forthcoming change request of about $80,000 to the Davis Kane contract to design a traffic signal and intersection work recommended by the North Carolina Department of Transportation; those costs will be paid up front by the district and are reimbursable because they involve state right‑of‑way work.

The Facilities Committee noted several alternates included in the contract. One alternate — labeled Alternate 1 and reflecting the shell for eight additional classrooms — bid far lower than originally estimated, and county commissioners suggested moving those classrooms to Rosewood Elementary to preserve funding and configuration options for fifth grade. Other alternates covered items such as flooring options and upgraded door hardware to match district standards.

Construction timing and vendor contracts: Dr. Harrell said Terracon, the materials‑testing firm, has a contract that must undergo legal review before being placed on the April 7 agenda; the contract does not need to be in place for contractors to begin staging. He said the school district will call Daniels and Daniels and give notice to proceed so the contractor can begin staging on April 1. The board was told that a ceremonial groundbreaking is scheduled for April 17 at 10 a.m. at the school site.

Formal action: Mr. Latham moved to accept the GMP the county commissioners approved; Mr. Fote seconded. The board voted in favor by voice/raised hands and the motion carried.

What was not decided: board members discussed possible future allowances for gym floor or bleacher replacement if additional funds become available, but no contract amendments for those items were approved at the meeting; staff said the board could return with a contract amendment or allowance recommendation if funding is secured.

Next steps and oversight: staff will present the Terracon contract and the Davis Kane change request to the board at the April 7 meeting for legal review and formal approval of those specific contracts and change orders. Construction staging is expected to begin April 1, with the contractor mobilizing on site ahead of the April 17 groundbreaking.