School board approves multiple facilities contracts and construction work, including districtwide facility analysis

The Bay District School Board approved a set of facilities contracts and construction items intended to guide long-term planning and to complete specific building projects.

The board voted to hire DAG Architects to perform an existing facilities analysis and master-planning services focused initially on seven campuses (Saint Andrews, Oakland Terrace, Rutherford High School, Dean Bozeman, Wesley Elementary, Arnold area, and the current district office building). District staff said the study will include interviews with staff, student-generation modeling for new housing, and an assessment of ancillary facilities such as transportation and the warehouse. Superintendent staff said DAG will begin work in the coming weeks and deliver initial findings on a 60–90 day timeline.

In a separate set of approvals the board accepted a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for renovations at Moat Middle School to convert an existing building into instructional and support space in a phased approach, approved continued renovations and furniture purchases for Bay High School Building 1, authorized third-party HVAC commissioning services for Tommy Smith Elementary (HAPSA-funded), and approved purchase and installation of two turnkey bleacher sets and concrete pads at Rutherford to expand spectator seating.

All motions passed by roll call. Board members discussed FEMA and grant reimbursements in relation to several long-running projects; staff said some projects have been in administrative processes for multiple years to secure funding. The DAG contract was described as the district's effort to create a baseline of current facilities and to model future needs as new housing developments are built.