Board approves roughly $26 million guaranteed maximum price for Robinson High expansion

The Pulaski County Special School District Board of Education on Aug. 12 approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of roughly $26 million for a multi‑floor expansion at Robinson High School, voting unanimously to let the contractor proceed.

The GMP covers a three‑story classroom addition, a new band room (including a storm shelter area) and restrooms for the baseball and softball fields. District staff and the contractor told the board the contract is intended to be turnkey and will include elevators, finishes and parking restoration.

District construction director Mike Johnson introduced Baldwin & Shell representatives and said the GMP figure is approximately $26,000,004.60, with an additional roughly $400,000 outstanding for architect/engineering work to be added to the total project cost. “You have before you the GMP,” the contractor stated during the presentation. Board member Doctor Taylor moved to approve the GMP; Miss Maynard seconded. The motion passed 5‑0.

Project leaders told the board the construction calendar targets full site demobilization in October 2027 (the aspirational target discussed during the presentation was late October 2027), and the contractor noted weather or other unforeseen events could shift that date. Contractors said the construction phasing requires fenced lay‑down areas and that front‑of‑school parking and grading will be raised and rebuilt. Board and contractor estimates show restored paved parking at project completion of about 235 spaces, roughly replacing an earlier gravel lot the school uses now.

District staff also said some elements of the project will be completed earlier: restrooms at the athletic fields are expected to be finished in February (the timeline presented indicated bathrooms would be complete in February of the coming construction year), and other interior finishes move on a longer schedule tied to the overall GMP.

Board members and the contractor discussed traffic, staging, and student access during construction. The site work will raise grades up to several feet in places, which the contractor said is necessary for utilities and a safe front walkway to the school once construction is finished.

The board approved the GMP after a brief discussion; trustees emphasized the importance of finishing the band room and restoring parking as described by the contractor. The board vote authorizes staff to proceed with Baldwin & Shell under the approved GMP and to return with any required subsequent contract documents.

The district’s financial plan for the project and other fund‑3 projects was discussed elsewhere on the agenda; trustees were reminded that Fund 3 is under pressure and that additional funding steps are being tracked separately.