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Board approves glazing, west‑side grading/irrigation and site irrigation for Sloane Elementary; reduces project budget
Summary
The board approved three construction alternates for the new Sloane Elementary—hallway glazing, west‑side grading with irrigated turf and additional site irrigation—and voted to reduce the total project budget after updated bids and contingencies.
Williston Basin School District 7 board members voted Feb. 3 to add three alternates to the Sloane Elementary School contract and to reduce the project’s total budget following updated cost verifications.
Construction manager Ryan Anderson and JLG representative Nick Lippert presented alternates the district had held as potential add‑backs after the base bid. The board approved the following alternates: hallway glazing in the K–1 wing to increase natural light and visibility; grading and irrigation for the west‑side open area with striping to support soccer and other field uses; and additional site irrigation to improve turf longevity and pest control. The motion to approve alternates 1, 2 and 4 passed on a roll‑call vote.
Lippert told the board the project remains under the original contingency; updated procurement and verification work showed the combined savings left the project roughly $4.4 million below the originally budgeted total. Lippert recommended reducing the overall project budget to $50,575,741 to reflect current bids and the approved alternates; the board approved that reduction.
Construction updates reported by Ryan Anderson indicated the project is approximately 14% complete. Precast wall panels have been cast and are scheduled for erection, permitting steps are nearly finished, kitchen equipment submittals are under review and selected AV and low‑voltage procurement is under way. Anderson said the city’s Thirteenth Avenue infrastructure bid will be evaluated and a cost‑share discussion with the city will follow.
Board members discussed turf versus natural grass, operating and maintenance needs, the potential need for future fencing around irrigated turf, and community use. Athletic director‑type testimony from Mr. Connolly emphasized the district’s year‑round demand for practice and field space across middle and high school programs and summer camps.
After the roll call and project update, the board also approved an amendment to incorporate the approved alternates into the guaranteed maximum price and directed staff to proceed with contract revisions.
