RUSD previews guaranteed maximum prices and revised budgets for Wadewitz and Case High School renovations

Racine Unified School District administration presented project summaries and budget updates for two renovation projects — Wadewitz Elementary (gym addition and building upgrades) and Case High School (pool infill and classroom, culinary and fitness upgrades) — and told the board it will bring guaranteed maximum price (GMP) recommendations to the April business meeting.

For Wadewitz, staff said the major work is an addition to provide a dedicated gymnasium (the building currently uses a combined “gymeteria”) and a community room. The scope includes a new kitchen, upgraded lighting, air conditioning throughout the building, new tile and ceilings, and other finish upgrades. At work session staff referenced the district’s long-range facilities master plan, which had previously targeted a larger program budget; staff said they had adjusted figures to account for inflation and presented a project budget and construction cost figures they will ask the board to approve in April. During presentation staff cited an inflation allowance of 3.5 percent applied to the November 2024 budget baseline.

Administration stated the Wadewitz construction cost to be presented at the April meeting will be $19,025,149 with a total project budget of $23,548,953. Staff noted the district had factored in tariff allowances and early procurement bidding to mitigate inflation and supply‑chain risk.

For Case High School, staff previewed scope items including pool infill, additional classroom space to support academies, improvements to culinary and fitness spaces, upgraded science rooms, and auditorium and band room finishes. The district said the construction cost being recommended for Case in April is $28,736,931 with a total project budget of $36,008,050 after applying the inflation factor referenced from the November budget update. Staff said they had included contingencies and soft costs in those totals and that one early bid/early procurement strategy has been used where appropriate.

Board members asked about the inflation allowance and whether the district’s estimates account for supply‑chain disruptions or tariffs; staff confirmed a tariff allowance was included and that early purchasing of materials was part of the mitigation strategy. Staff also described that air conditioning at Wadewitz will replace temporary window units now used to support students with special needs.

Because these were work‑session presentations, administration will bring formal GMP and budget approval requests to the board at its April business meeting. No formal action was taken at the March 3 work session.