Hendry County board approves initial $72.9 million guaranteed maximum price for new LaBelle High School

The Hendry County School Board on Tuesday approved an initial guaranteed maximum price of $72,903,487 to begin construction of a new LaBelle High School, district leaders said.

Superintendent (unnamed) told the board the district was awarded $90,600,000 through the Florida Department of Education’s Special Facilities program for the project, and that the initial GMP covers work that fits inside that funding. “We were awarded $90,600,000 to construct this school,” the superintendent said during the workshop presentation.

The district has pursued a two‑step approach: an initial GMP (iGMP) that contracts the critical path work the district can fund now, and a final GMP that would reflect the school’s full design if the district secures an additional appropriation. Laura Hoff, representing the Owens & Kimball/CRA team, described the iGMP as the set of subcontractor packages needed to mobilize site and structural work and said the IGMP total is “just under $73,000,000.”

Board members pressed presenters on what the state funding does and does not cover. Presenters said the Special Facilities allocation supports educational site and building elements — such as raised fields, tracks and PE‑usable areas — but does not fund athletics‑specific outfitting such as bleachers, dugouts or interior athletic finishes. The superintendent and OAK representatives said some athletics features could be added later if the district obtains additional funds or can reallocate savings.

Contracting and local participation were frequent topics. The construction team said it held local subcontractor workshops and published a list of local firms that attended, but noted many small local contractors lack the bonding capacity to accept large prime packages. Presenters said they expect substantial local participation as second‑tier subcontractors once major packages are mobilized.

Board counsel and members requested a more detailed cost‑of‑work breakdown and additional contractual language to strengthen schedule accountability. The board attorney said the present contracts contain clauses obligating the contractor to work efficiently and avoid undue delays, but that any time‑based penalties or additional guarantees would require further review and mutual amendment.

Superintendent recommended approval of the iGMP at the regular 5:30 p.m. meeting. The motion to approve the iGMP was made and seconded; the board voted to approve the initial GMP (motion carries; recorded as 4‑0‑1). The district said the iGMP will let OAK mobilize critical subcontractors while the district continues to pursue the additional $33 million in the 2026 state budget process.

Next steps include finalizing contracts for the phase‑1 subcontractors, continued permitting with the South Florida Water Management District and monthly progress updates to the board.