Board endorses Retson as design-build firm and authorizes up to $105,000 for plans

At the Nov. 3 work session the Moore County Schools Board endorsed Retson as the district—s selected design-build firm for a replacement Technology and Planning, Accountability & Research (PAR) building and authorized staff to develop plans up to a $105,000 cap without further board approval.

Miss Purvis explained the district issued a request for qualifications in July and received four responses. Staff recommended Retson based on local experience with school- and commercial-type projects and the firm—s past work in Moore County. "Endorsing Retson as a selected firm will allow us to develop plans," Purvis said, noting the endorsement is not approval to build but will permit architectural and site-plan development so the district can move quickly when a site is determined.

Purvis described the conceptual facility footprint as approximately 12,500 square feet (revised from an earlier 16,000-sq-ft estimate) and provided budget guidance. She characterized Retson—s worst-case estimate for the building at about $3,300,000, which included $990,000 assumed for site development in that scenario; staff said actual costs would likely be lower if the chosen parcel reduces site work.

The board discussed timelines, Retson's local capacity, and what to do with the district's current warehouse if a replacement building is constructed. Mr. Benway and other trustees urged continued collaboration with central-office staff and the construction committee as planning advances. Purvis said staff would return with finalized site plans and a construction amount for board approval before any build contract is executed.

The board's endorsement authorizes development of architectural plans (up to $50,000) and site-planning (up to $55,000) for a combined not-to-exceed amount of $105,000; staff said any construction contract would require future board approval.