Broward County details nearly $47 million in SMART upgrades at Oakland Park schools

Broward County Public Schools officials told the City of Oakland Park Commission that the district’s SMART school-modernization program has invested nearly $47,000,000 in facility upgrades across Oakland Park and that most projects are complete or nearing financial closeout.

"The SMART program continues to demonstrate meaningful progress with nearly $47,000,000 invested in school modernization and facility upgrades across Oakland Park," Sonia Coley, director of construction for the district’s Office of Capital Programs, said at the meeting.

The update, presented by Coley and Mike McIntyre, program director for AECOM, summarized progress at multiple campuses. Northeast High School’s renovation work was listed with a total renovation budget of $46,870,000; five renovation packages and multiple buildings are reported complete. The project also includes an addition described in the presentation as about 24 classrooms (17 traditional classrooms, five business-education labs and two art rooms). McIntyre said Building 4 had not started because structural issues discovered during design are being corrected and that Building 5’s music room is using spot coolers while HVAC work continues; he estimated the outstanding work there could take about six months.

At James Records — described in the presentation as a replacement project that includes a classroom building (Building 1) and a gymnasium — McIntyre said Building 1 is progressing well, with the building envelope complete and interior mechanical, electrical and plumbing work ongoing. Gym construction there was briefly stopped after a ‘‘red tag’’ structural concern and is preparing to resume, he said. The presentation also listed other buildings at Northeast High as occupied and in use and noted demolition and site work were complete for several buildings.

Officials said Lloyd Estates Elementary has most scope items complete, with fire alarm and sprinkler work remaining and one outstanding underground storm piping slope issue under review before closeout. ‘‘We’re on the cusp of closing this project out financially, which means it’s done,’’ McIntyre said, describing the district’s final steps for the school.

North Andrews Gardens Elementary was reported 100% complete and in financial closeout. Oakland Park Elementary, with a project budget presented as $5,760,000, was described as in its final phase with HVAC, electrical and fire-alarm work complete and only punch-list and final inspections remaining. The presenters said each Oakland Park campus also received school-choice enhancement funds of $100,000 for items chosen by principals and school communities, including digital marquees, gym scoreboards and science equipment.

Coley and McIntyre described routine project-management measures: weekly formal meetings, collaborative constructability reviews and sequencing adjustments when design refinements arise. They said many projects are in active construction or closeout and that the district’s standards produce detailed punch lists and rigorous final inspections.

No formal vote or action was recorded on the SMART update; the presentation was informational and aimed at updating the commission on construction status and timelines.

City and district staff indicated they would answer follow-up questions from commissioners and interested parties after the presentation.