Board approves $4.67 million change order for Springfield High auditorium renovation

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Springfield Public Schools District 186 Board of Education on July 21 approved Change Order No. 2 for Springfield High School’s auditorium renovation, adding $4,670,137.87 to the project and directing the superintendent to execute the related documents.

Superintendent staff presented the change order as a revised alternate scope for theater upgrades that the board had previously removed from the guaranteed maximum price. The district said it negotiated the scope and reduced the alternate’s original price of $5,512,940 to the approved $4,670,137.87 figure.

Board discussion focused on what the change order covers and how it affects the overall project budget. Officials said the work includes replacing the auditorium floor to correct slope, bringing the stage and audience areas into ADA compliance with lifts and elevator access, upgrading electrical and sound systems, installing rigging and a band shell, expanding backstage costume and storage facilities, and other theater infrastructure improvements.

“The theater upgrades include a new floor, new electrical, new sound equipment, new stage and improved stage house and backstage storage,” a district presenter said during the meeting.

The presenter said the auditorium work was always in the plans but was bid as an alternate; the first alternate bid came in higher, so the district reworked scope and pricing before returning to the board. Officials reported the project’s guaranteed maximum price was approximately $126 million before the change order, with subsequent totals approaching an estimated $130–$132 million when adding the change order and related costs. The district noted it maintains contingencies totaling about $6 million.

The board voted to approve the change order (recorded as seven “aye” votes). No roll-call names were recorded in the public transcript excerpt beyond the tally of seven ayes.

The renovation also prompted discussion about a historic pipe organ currently housed in the auditorium. Officials described the instrument as a community treasure that is seldom played and said the project will remove and store the organ and pipes. The district proposed forming a community committee to advise on the organ’s future and to identify an appropriate, climate-controlled storage or display option.

Why it matters: Board members said the auditorium work restores theater function, expands stage and backstage space for band and choral programs, improves accessibility and safety, and reclaims square footage currently occupied by the organ.

What was decided: The board approved the change order and directed the superintendent to finalize required documents with O’Shea Builders. District staff said the adjusted alternate bid saved about $1 million relative to the earlier estimate for the same scope.

What to watch next: The district will continue construction; officials said contingencies remain in place and other planned projects were not expected to be derailed by this change order. The district also said it will seek community input on the organ’s long-term stewardship.