Board approves early GMP packages for two middle-school projects as administrators fast-track builds

The board approved guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) early packages for two middle-school construction projects, allowing the construction manager to begin civil-site work and order major mechanical/electrical/plumbing components ahead of a full GMP. Administration said the early packages represent roughly the subcontracted earthwork and MEP work (the presentation described early packages in the 252 range of the overall project cost for the selected packages) and that the phased approach is intended to accelerate schedule for a target opening in subsequent school years.

Trustees asked detailed questions about schedule compression (administration and the construction manager described an 18-month fast-track target compared with a typical 24-month delivery for a middle school), geotechnical and water-table risks on the two sites, and the effect of early procurement on cost certainty. The construction representative and district project staff said the early civil and MEP GMPs reduce schedule risk and help lock in pricing for long-lead items; they said the remainder of the GMP will be brought to the board at a subsequent meeting when additional trade packages are bid and evaluated.

The board approved the consent agenda with these two items (approval language recorded in the minutes) and voted to pass the motions for the GMP early packages. Trustees reiterated that schedule is subordinate to quality and asked administration to prioritize durable construction and avoid shortcuts to meet compressed timelines.

Administration said it would return with the remaining GMPs and continued recommendation for phased approvals.