Board approves exterior work for new shipping, receiving and maintenance building; design fee for architect set at 8%

Marshall Public Schools’ board on Monday approved completion of exterior and site phases for a new shipping, receiving and maintenance facility at the district’s North Campus and authorized the district’s architect to proceed on additional design work at the fee discussed.

The district’s architectural consultant, Inside Design Studio, showed the board a site plan and elevations for a proposed addition to the existing on‑site building that would create administration offices, shipping and receiving, storage, a print shop and a future service vehicle area with garage doors. “Throughout this building, we’re trying to tie in the materials that you will find on the Marshall Intermediate School so they look cohesive,” said Patrick Claybrook, architectural designer with Inside Design Studio.

Why it matters: District leaders say consolidating transportation, maintenance and distribution functions on the North Campus will reduce equipment and staffing silos, lower operating costs and make the new intermediate campus and adjacent facilities look consistent.

Construction update and budget context: Representatives from Nabholtz (construction) reported the intermediate school job was approximately two to three months ahead of schedule and under budget, with some site and contingency savings realized. “We were able, not to have to spend a lot of that allowance. So, had roughly half a million dollars in savings just for site,” a Nabholtz representative said.

Board action: The board voted to approve the exterior/site phases (referred to as phases 1 and 3) for the distribution center and maintenance building and later approved a separate motion to authorize Insight Design to proceed with additional design phases. During discussion, the board clarified that the architect’s additional-fee arrangement is 8% of the construction cost; the board president said that percentage was already included in the $2.8 million figure presented for phases 1 and 3.

What was approved: District staff recommended and the board approved funds to finish the building façade, site earthwork, concrete and perimeter work. The superintendent’s office presented a $2.8 million cost estimate for the two phases; board members voted to proceed. The district noted available savings from the ongoing intermediate‑school project could be applied to these phases.

Implementation: District staff said they will return to the board with more details at a planned special work session to be scheduled in March to review final scopes and the capital plan. Board members said the work will improve operational efficiencies by consolidating maintenance and transportation equipment and reduce duplicate purchases across departments.

Quotations: Patrick Claybrook, Inside Design Studio, described the building’s key functions and materials and said the addition was designed to visually match the intermediate school. A Nabholtz representative said progress photos show finishes in place in some spaces and that schedule and cost performance to date had produced contingency savings the district could use to fund next phases.

Next steps: The board directed staff to return with detailed scope and financial breakdowns at a special work session; construction and architectural contracts will proceed as scoped and funded.