Board approves CHA as construction manager for high school renovation, authorizes $273,000 preconstruction fee and notes $1,455,000 construction-phase amount

The Wallingford-Swarthmore School District Board of School Directors on Sept. 29 voted 8-0 to approve a contract with CHA as construction manager for the planned high school renovation, authorizing an immediate $273,000 preconstruction phase and recording a $1,455,000 construction-phase fee that the board said must return for later approval before any construction work begins.

Superintendent Dr. Johnson told the board the district issued an RFP in July, received six responses, interviewed four firms and identified CHA as the finalist. ‘‘With approval tonight, [CHA] would jump in and help us with our selection of the architect,’’ Dr. Johnson said. ‘‘They would begin with us right away’’ on preconstruction tasks, including assessments of mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Dr. Johnson described the construction manager’s everyday role: ‘‘Think about the construction manager as the person who’s our eyes and ears. When we begin construction, we will have a representative from the selected construction management firm on-site every day, making sure that the gates are open, that the contractors can get in. When that cement truck is coming down Providence Road, you have that person who knows. We’re expecting cement today. We’re ready for it. That pad is ready. We’re ready to pour cement.’’

Board members and administration emphasized that approval tonight authorizes CHA’s preconstruction work and records the construction-phase price, but that any change in scope, timeline or funding must come back to the board for approval. Dr. Johnson said the contract ‘‘sets us up for that deep community engagement’’ and explained the second, construction-phase payment would not be released without a future board vote.

Board members pressed administration on community engagement and project controls. Board member Mary Jo Witzowski Smith said she wanted ‘‘very clear confirmation that CHA is going to engage us as part of the not just communication, but that the board is going to be where their responsibility comes in.’’ Dr. Johnson replied that the contract requires returning to the board for any scope or funding changes: ‘‘Anything requiring a change in scope of this project, including both the timeline and the funding ... has to come back before this board.’’

Several board members described CHA’s presentation to the facilities and finance committee and noted CHA’s commitment to stakeholder outreach. Dr. Johnson and board members said CHA’s proposal included community engagement and that CHA’s lead representative offered to be reachable to neighbors during construction to respond to dust, noise and traffic concerns.

The board’s vote occurred as part of the finance and facilities consent package. During the roll-call vote the board recorded unanimous approval: Missus DeLay (Aye); Missus Hobert (Aye); Mister Miller (Aye); Missus Whatman (Aye); Miss Woodsett (Aye); Missus Williams (Aye); Miss McKeusney Smith (Aye); Mister Henry (Aye).

The district will continue the architect selection process; Dr. Johnson said an RFP for architecture and engineering had just closed and that he expected the board to consider an architectural contract in November after site visits and further vetting.

The board and administration also stressed budgeting practices intended to limit unexpected cost growth: the business director and CHA agreed to flat fees rather than percentage-based fees to reduce exposure to market volatility, and administration reported developing three scope/price options to keep the project within community affordability limits.

The district’s capital plan framework, adopted June 18, remains the governing prioritization tool; the high school was identified as the district’s first capital priority.

Dr. Johnson said CHA will attend facilities meetings and other public sessions as needed and that the contract anticipates regular stakeholder engagement throughout design and preconstruction.

What happens next: CHA will begin preconstruction tasks if the board’s approved contract is executed, the district will advance architect selection, and any decision that increases project funding or changes scope must return to the board.