Board approves lower architect fee for Truman Middle School after bids come in under budget

The Lindbergh School District Board of Education on an unanimous 7-0 vote approved an amendment that reduces the professional services agreement for the Prop R Truman Middle School project after bids produced a lower guaranteed maximum price. The board voted with Andy moving and Megan seconding the motion.

Board staff said the change reduces the architect's fee rather than increasing project costs. "This is kind of something that doesn't happen very often, but we're proud to bring it to the board. It's an amendment, a decrease," said Joelle, a district staff member, describing the amendment as a contract reduction tied to bid results. Joelle said the district's CMER process, which brings the architect and contractor together early, contributed to the lower outcome and yielded cost savings for the project.

Joelle told the board the district had completed the GMP process — the final price set after bid review — and the project came in under the original budget, so the architect agreed to charge a lower fee. Board members did not request changes and voted to approve the contract amendment.

The motion passed 7-0. The contract amendment changes the professional services agreement to a lower total; the board record lists the item as "10.01 amendment to professional services agreement Prop R Truman Middle School." No additional contingencies or follow-up tasks were recorded in the meeting minutes.

Board members and staff said the result demonstrates cost-control benefits of the district's early-construction engagement practices, but the board did not adopt new policy related to procurement or change the project scope at the meeting.