Redford Union board approves French Associates to lead architectural and engineering work for 2025 bond

The Redford Union Schools District No. 1 Board of Education voted 6-1 July 7 to approve French Associates to provide architectural and engineering services for the district's 2025 capital bond project, at the recommendation of Superintendent Jason Witt.

The board's vote followed presentations and reference checks for three finalist firms and a discussion about how the district should oversee the multi-year work. The district administration told the board the bond's largest portion will be mechanical, electrical and plumbing work and that French proposed a 5.9 percent design fee. Other finalists had higher proposed fees: King Scott Associates at about 7 percent and Fanning Howey (also presented) with a fee range the board packet listed at roughly 6.5 to 7.5 percent.

Jason Witt, superintendent, asked the board to authorize the firm so work can begin on schedules that would allow some projects to start in 2026. "We need to get working now on the 2025 bond project so we can be doing at least some projects in 2026," Witt said during discussion of timing and closeout for the district's prior 2021 bond work.

Program manager Jim Steiner, identified in the meeting as the program manager supporting the district, summarized the selection process and the administration's recommendation. "They made a call to me about 3, 4 years ago. Said that they're starting their own firm. And would certainly appreciate our recommendation to other architectural firms," Steiner said of Ignite, the recommended mechanical and electrical partner. He said Ignite had repeatedly assisted districts after construction with system troubleshooting and continued access to systems for follow-up support, a capability the administration verified during reference checks.

Facilities staff member Thomas Saez (as introduced at the meeting) also addressed the board after the interviews. "I was very, very impressed with Ignite," he said, and described prior positive experience with the proposed team. The administration recommended French as the prime architect with Ignite as the mechanical/electrical engineer.

Board members asked for additional clarity about scope and oversight. Administration described three oversight approaches for the project: (1) a committee-of-the-whole workshop model that brings the full board into regular workshops for presentation and feedback before formal votes; (2) a steering-committee model that would include two designated board members, district administrators and 2'4 community members to meet more frequently and relay recommendations to the full board; and (3) a hybrid that combines a steering committee with periodic committee-of-the-whole workshops. Several board members expressed support for the committee-of-the-whole or hybrid approaches to increase opportunities for questions and for the board to see schematic and design-development work before bids.

Board member questions also touched on how fees are applied during the construction bidding process. Administration explained the design fee would be calculated at bid time and allocated to approved bid packages; the architect is contractually required to design to the program budget for each package. The administration told the board that roughly $10,800,000 of the bond is budgeted for roofing and $2,900,000 for site work, and recommended that the district consider hiring a civil engineer and a roofing designer directly rather than through the prime architect for those portions.

During the discussion Board member Mike Osowski (recorded as Mister Osowski) expressed concern about opening a new project before the district has formally closed the 2021 bond; administration replied it will provide a closeout update at the August workshop or meeting. Board member Michael (Mister) Bailey asked whether steering-committee meetings would be posted as public meetings; the administration replied they would not be posted as open meetings because no final board action is taken in the committee meetings.

On a roll-call vote on the motion "that the board of education at the recommendation of Jason Witt, superintendent, approve French to provide architectural engineering services for the 2025 capital bond project as presented," the board recorded: Bailey ' yes; Dean ' yes; Johnson ' yes; Martin ' yes; Miller ' yes; Osowski ' no; Chair Pridemore ' yes. The motion carried 6'1.

Next steps described by administration included bringing a recommendation for a construction manager later in the process, asking the board in August to designate board members if the steering-committee approach is chosen, and returning with a detailed closeout report for the 2021 bond items that remain open.

Votes at a glance: Board approved the recommendation to hire French Associates for AE services for the 2025 capital bond project (motion moved by Mrs. Miller, supported by Mrs. Martin; outcome: approved, 6'1).