The Mercer Island School District board on (date not specified in the record) approved the validation phase of a progressive design‑build contract for the Merrie Wade Pool project, moving the effort from design authorization toward a guaranteed maximum price later in the process.

The decision advances work financed primarily through the CapTech levy and a King County grant. Brandy, a district staff presenter, told the board the levy included $2,000,000 earmarked for the Merrie Wade Pool if outside grant funding was secured. "If you remember, the CapTAC levy that was passed included $2,000,000 for a Merry Way pool, assuming we were able to secure grant funding from King County, which we were successful at," Brandy said.

Why it matters: the district is using a progressive design‑build delivery method, approved by the state, so the contractor leads design and the district and contractor jointly define a final scope that fits a budget ceiling. That approach lets the district spend up front on a validation phase to inspect existing conditions, scope repairs and prioritize life‑safety and accessibility work before the contract moves to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP).

Key details: Brandy described the contract structure and the district's recent work with the selected contractor and legal counsel. The contract as presented includes numerous exhibits and supporting documents. The board was told the validation phase—when the contractor and architect will determine final scope and pricing—will cost about $145,000 (presented as $100,000 plus an additional $45,000 of validation work). The board was also told the eventual maximum for the project would be set in the GMP stage and discussed as up to roughly $3,000,000 in the presentation materials.

District staff said the validation work will include a pool condition survey (the pool will be drained during winter break so specialists can assess the pool bowl) and an assessment of life‑safety upgrades, plus accessibility and locker‑room priorities. The district noted some supporting items (door replacements, hardware) are also likely to appear in final scoping.

The board approved the agenda item as posted (motion and mover/second not specified in the transcript record) and the vote resulted in approval (vote counts not specified in the public transcript). Following the vote, staff will proceed with the validation phase and return to the board with the GMP and final project scope once validation is complete.

Background: District leaders said the progressive design‑build approach required state approval and allows the contractor to engage the architect; in this model the scope is adjusted to meet the agreed budget ceiling. School staff emphasized the district has pursued grant funding and will coordinate Merrie Wade work with other CapTech projects planned for the summer, such as elementary painting and bus‑lot infrastructure work.

What's next: staff will perform the validation work described to determine the pool bowl condition and the extent of life‑safety and accessibility work required. The board will later consider the guaranteed maximum price and final scope once validation results are available.