Board approves guaranteed maximum price for Robinson Education Center renovation

The Manhattan-Ogden USD 383 Board of Education approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for the Robinson Education Center renovation and accepted related vendor proposals during its regular meeting.

The board voted to accept the GMP submitted by the contractor named in the agenda and to approve the vendor for electronic locks and phone systems. The motion carried by a recorded roll call vote and the board chair declared the motion passed.

The district presented the Robinson project as the final bond-funded renovation in the district's facilities program. The renovation will replace siding, install a secured entry, replace flooring (reusing on-hand carpet where possible), paint, perform asbestos abatement and selective demolition, upgrade low-voltage systems and HVAC, tuckpoint exterior masonry, and reconfigure interior walls to create larger flexible spaces and new classrooms. The plan preserves the superintendent's conference room and office while opening other former small offices and storage into larger collaborative and break-room areas.

Trish, a district facilities presenter, told the board the project team has worked across departments for more than a year and is coordinating capital outlay and bond funds to reduce operating cost impacts. Mr. Downs said a committee has developed programming that would house multiple high-school offerings in Robinson, including a smaller in-person program with an application process, expanded asynchronous virtual learning and the Manhattan Virtual Academy, and potential partnership programming with Job Corps. The committee said operating costs are expected to be cost-neutral by reallocating existing at-risk dollars and programs.

Board members asked about sequencing, use of existing material, asbestos abatement, and how the renovated spaces will be programmed. District staff said some existing carpet and materials identified at Keys Knoll would be reused, reducing net purchase needs.

The board cheered a presentation earlier in the meeting that recapped the district's bond portfolio and the major projects completed across elementary and secondary sites over the bond program.

The motion to accept the GMP and the vendor proposal passed with a recorded vote in open session. The board asked district staff to return with additional details and a presentation from the project committee at a future meeting.

The district indicated a public presentation from the project committee is planned for March, with additional details about the Robinson programming to follow.