Hoke County board hears new-school progress, approves commissioning and testing amendments

Hoke County Board of Education members on July 8 received a detailed construction update on the district’s new high school and approved two contract actions tied to the project: a commissioning‑agent contract with CMTA and an amendment for material testing by Terracon.

The construction presenter told the board the building is nearing the “dried‑in” stage, with the classroom wing and central commons “pretty much almost, like, 95% roofing dried in,” interior framing and science lab plumbing in place, and exterior masonry and site work progressing. The presenter said the sanitary line and site grading behind the stadium are complete, and that the parent drop‑off loop and turn lane work will be finished before the school’s open house.

The update included a schedule and budget summary. The presenter said the project remains on track for substantial completion about March 2026 and for Hoke County Schools to occupy the building in mid‑June 2026 after the school year ends. The presenter reported remaining project contingency just over $1,700,000 and noted a previously disclosed potential impact of under $800,000 that would leave roughly $970,000 remaining if that cost were the final amount.

Board action: commissioning and testing

The board approved a contract to hire CMTA as the building commissioning agent for $116,600. The presenter told the board the North Carolina State Building Code requires commissioning of building systems and that the district issued a request for qualifications; eight responses were reviewed and CMTA was selected. The contract fee was described as a portion of an originally budgeted $250,000 line item, leaving about $133,400 unencumbered from that allocation.

The board also approved a $38,012.50 amendment to Terracon’s material‑testing contract to cover additional trips and testing caused by sequencing delays and weather. The presenter said some retests and trip cancellations will be charged to the general contractor MetCon J and K under existing contract provisions; those obligations were described as approximately $11,140, yielding a net project impact of roughly $27,572 once MetCon J and K’s obligations are reconciled. The presenter and staff said the additional testing funding is available in current unencumbered project funds.

During the vote on the Terracon amendment, one board member voiced opposition; the record shows the motion nevertheless passed by voice vote.

Why it matters

Commissioning certifies that mechanical, electrical and building automation systems are installed and operating as designed; the board was told the district emphasized the building automation system because it controls HVAC and lighting that affect comfort and energy use. Material testing and inspection ensure structural elements and concrete pours meet project specifications; delays and additional testing increase contract costs and require coordination among the district, the testing firm and the general contractor.

What the board asked for

Board members asked for clarification of contingency and encumbrance numbers and were told contingencies remain tied to the MetCon J and K contract until the project closes. Staff said they will continue monthly reporting and will return with recommendations if and when remaining unencumbered funds are identified for reallocation.

Provenance (transcript excerpts): - Topic intro evidence: “We can move right along to construction updates.” (meeting transcript, construction presenter introduction) - Topic finish evidence: Discussion and Q&A on contingencies and scheduling, followed by motions to approve the commissioning contract and the material‑testing amendment.

Notes: All dollar amounts, schedule targets and contingency figures above are taken from the presentation and board discussion on July 8, as recorded in the meeting transcript. Vote counts were not recorded in roll call; approvals were taken by voice vote. One board member explicitly stated opposition to the material testing amendment during the voice vote.