Kaneland board authorizes Nicholas and Associates as construction manager at risk for referendum projects

The Kaneland Community Unit School District 302 Board of Education authorized district staff to engage Nicholas and Associates as construction manager at risk (CMAR) for the projects approved by the 2025 referendum; the authorization passed unanimously, 7–0.

Dr. Jackie Bogan, who led the RFP and interview process, told the board the firm’s proposal is based on a preliminary construction budget of about $105,000,000 and an estimated overall construction management compensation equal to roughly 10.15 percent of total construction costs—about $10,650,000. "Their management fee is 1.9% of the total construction costs," Dr. Bogan said; she said that equates to just under $2,000,000. The package presented to the board includes fixed general conditions estimated at approximately $1,950,000, an estimated builders-risk insurance policy of about $200,000, and a roughly 4 percent contingency (about $4,200,000).

District staff said Nicholas and Associates proposed an approximate 18‑month construction schedule for the core construction phase, with "shovels in the dirt" expected in the spring of 2026 under current timing assumptions. Staff emphasized that the recommended engagement is an authorization to negotiate and finalize contract language; it is not the execution of a final construction contract.

The board and selection-panel members said the committee evaluated firms on qualifications, responsiveness, experience with school projects and willingness to provide preconstruction services as part of the package. "This fee is essentially at risk because it means that Nicholas and Associates will take on the responsibility for managing the project within the budget and schedule constraints that we've set forth," Dr. Bogan said.

Board members asked for clarification on how CMAR at-risk pricing and change orders will be handled; staff responded that the guaranteed maximum price structure is intended to limit change orders to owner-directed scope changes and to capture unforeseen conditions during preconstruction. The board noted the construction management fee is part of the district’s referendum budget; staff explained the referendum total (including architecture, testing, and other non-construction costs) had been estimated in earlier planning at about $140,000,000 and that the construction management fee is one component of that total.

A motion to approve the selection and authorize engagement of Nicholas and Associates passed by roll call: Cook—Aye, McCauley—Aye, Lawler—Aye, Stalcock—Aye, Mankivsky—Aye, Kliesner—Aye and Simmons—Aye. The authorization directs staff to finalize contract terms including the guaranteed maximum price and to return with the final contract for board approval when ready.