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Superintendent staff outline SMART bond progress, remaining projects and transition risks
Summary
Chief operations and facilities officer Wanda Paul and construction executive Sonia Coley presented a SMART program update showing most SMART funds already spent but noting roughly 35 projects that were likely to remain active beyond the board—s October 2025 completion target; staff recommended a hybrid approach to program management and said a March workshop will propose transition options.
Chief operations and facilities officer Wanda Paul and construction executive Sonia Coley updated the board on the SMART bond program—s status and upcoming capital priorities, saying the district has spent most of the current SMART budget but still faces a set of older, complex projects that will roll into the district capital plan (DEFP).
What the presentation covered: Staff and program managers AECOM and Atkins provided a program-level summary, funding and schedule status, progress highlights and proposed next steps for transition from the SMART program to ongoing capital management. The board and staff discussed timelines for AECOM—s contract extension, the number and cost of projects expected to remain active past the SMART completion date, and options for program-management going forward.
Key figures and status: Paul and consultants reported these figures (district-provided figures): - Program spending and budget: staff cited roughly $1.65 billion invested program-wide and a current SMART budget near $1.55 billion, with approximately 82% of that current budget already spent. - Projects and construction: staff reported 331 SMART projects (the packet lists 334 projects in program accounting), 53 schools in active construction at the time of the briefing and 68 media centers completed to date; the presentation listed 35 projects that, as of the briefing, are likely to remain active beyond October 2025. - Contingencies and unencumbered funds: staff said approximately $110 million unencumbered in the program, of which $40 million was associated with pending construction contract awards and $70 million was contingency inside project budgets.
Why it matters: District leaders reiterated that some projects are relatively simple closeouts while others are older facilities requiring larger investments. Staff said three specific schools (Bennett, North Fork and Broward Estates) have larger remaining needs that are not fully funded in the SMART program and will be candidates for DEFP (long-term capital planning). That combination of incomplete projects and complex final items increases the risk that work will remain after the board—s target completion date.
Program management options: Paul recommended a hybrid approach for the transition: retain an internal core of district facility/project-management staff while using external program management and staff augmentation for peak workload. AECOM—s contract was scheduled to end in July 2025; staff said they were negotiating possible short-term extensions and would present options to the board at a March workshop. Board members pressed for a definitive near-term plan because summer construction windows are critical for completing school renovations with minimal student impact.
Board concerns and follow-up: Board members asked for more granular, school-by-school closeout data (financial closeout status, remaining contingencies and pending change orders) and for a clear plan if AECOM does not extend. Staff said they will return with options in March, including internal, external and hybrid approaches; staff also agreed to provide the AECOM partner—s proposal as soon as it was available for board consideration. Consultants reported that AECOM and its partners were finalizing a proposal and expected to present options in the weeks that followed the briefing.
Notable technical and schedule drivers: Presenters highlighted causes of delay, including: unforeseen conditions (hidden building issues discovered in construction), consultant errors/omissions on plans that require rework, sequencing challenges for electrical/HVAC/fire-safety work, and contractor performance problems that have at times required legal follow-up.
Ending: Staff said they would return at a March workshop with a transition plan and firm recommendations for program management beyond AECOM—s contract, and asked the board to expect more detailed, school-level financial closeout and schedule information in coming reports.
