Board approves up to $350,000 contingency for robotics shop after state plan review; bond program on track

The Bloomfield Hills Schools Board of Education voted to approve an additional contingency of up to $350,000 to cover new electrical and ventilation requirements at the district's robotics renovations, following a state plan review that identified explosion-proof outlets and upgraded exhaust needs.

Plant Moran representatives gave the district's quarterly bond update before the vote. Alan Dresselhaus, who summarized financials, said the bond program is largely on track and "we are currently showing about, close to $300,000 under our budget." David Goldman, who reviewed construction progress, described work across the district's projects and said multiple items were scheduled to finish before the school year begins.

Why it matters: the robotics renovation is time-sensitive. Presenters told the board the exhaust unit and associated structural steel have an eight-to-ten-week lead time; delaying the purchase could push major work into the school term. Superintendent West told the board he supports the recommendation: "I fully recommend it and support, the recommendation to move forward." The board approved the contingency 6-0.

Details of the work and funding: District and bond consultants said the state's plan-review process triggered a requirement for an engineered exhaust ventilation system for new equipment, including a CNC machine. That ventilation need in turn required explosion-proof electrical fixtures and additional structural framing for the roof. Staff described the $350,000 ask as a not-to-exceed figure intended to provide a buffer so the district would not have to return to the board for additional funding as work proceeds; presenters noted some contingency remains in the project budget but may not be sufficient to cover the newly identified scope.

Timeline and schedule: Plant Moran and contractors described wide summer progress at the high school, Lone Pine, Eastover and other sites, with many items targeted to finish before classes start or before early sporting events. The robotics move-in is targeted for October to align with the robotics season; staff said the renovations must be ready ahead of that schedule. Board members pressed presenters on why the state review prompted the work at this stage; presenters said the requirement arose from a detailed equipment list and the state review of the engineers' stamped plans.

Board discussion: Trustees asked whether the contingency represented an actual cost estimate or only a buffer; staff replied the number came from contractor estimates and the district's remaining contingency, and that spending could come in under the not-to-exceed number. Several board members expressed concern that the need arose late in the process; staff explained municipal and state plan-review comments sometimes surface new items after initial design submittals. The board ultimately approved the contingency to keep the project on the timeline.

What comes next: Contractors will order the exhaust unit and the structural framing; staff said they will continue to coordinate the work so it does not interfere with the start of school and athletic events. The board asked for ongoing updates on final costs and completion status.

Ending: The robotics contingency vote was one of several bond-related decisions the board considered during its quarterly update; presenters told the board that despite a handful of late-stage changes, the overall bond program remains on schedule and largely within budget.