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Board approves $4.55 million Maiden Middle renovation contingent on county fund reallocation
Summary
The board approved a $4,550,000 base bid from DDI of Hickory for a comprehensive HVAC and renovation project at Maiden Middle School, contingent on county commissioners reallocating previously appropriated funds.
The Catawba County Board of Education on March 24 approved a $4,550,000 base bid from DDI of Hickory to renovate Maiden Middle School, contingent on county commissioners reassigning previously allocated funds to cover the project.
Why it matters: The project covers mechanical, electrical and life-safety work across roughly 20,000 square feet and includes purchase and installation of 66 mechanical units, a new control system, new electrical and gas services, new ceilings and lighting, masonry repairs, a security vestibule, a new voice‑evacuation fire alarm system, and accessibility upgrades at the main entrance. School officials said the current fire alarm system is not repairable or expandable and that the vestibule will bring Maiden Middle in line with other district schools.
Dan Moore, speaking for the district’s construction and maintenance department, summarized the scope and the funding plan and said the district will ask the county commission to reallocate funds so the full scope can proceed. “This project includes a lot of things to work toward the renovation of that facility... The apparent low bidder is DDI of Hickory at $4,550,000,” Moore said during the meeting.
Board action: The board approved the DDI base bid contingent on county approval to reallocate funds. Board members recorded an alternate plan if the county does not approve the reallocation: the district would limit work this year to the gym, band/chorus room and selected “encore” areas; in that scenario the apparent alternate low bidder would be Neil Grady Construction and the scope and price would be reduced.
Timeline and next steps: District staff said the project will involve a phased construction schedule and include liquidated damages in the contract; administration aims to complete the bulk of work by November. The board directed administration to request the county reallocation at the next county subcommittee meeting and then seek county commission approval.
Budget and risks: Board members noted cost escalation risk and urged prompt county action. The board approved the contract contingent on the county’s action; if the commission does not reallocate funds the district will return to the board to consider the scaled-back contract.
