Sumner Bonney Lake School District capital projects staff told the board on June 18 that they plan to pursue an alternative delivery method — general contractor/construction manager (GCCM) — for several major bond-funded projects, citing market conditions and the logistics of expanding occupied buildings.

Marina Tene, director of capital projects, said bringing a contractor into the design process will allow earlier cost-estimating, construction input into sequencing and better management where work must be phased around occupied spaces. Tene said the GCCM approach will still use a competitive, qualifications-based selection process with a price component and competitively bid trade packages.

Facilities manager John Boatman walked the board through architect renderings for Sumner High School Phase 2 and highlighted site elements: the Phase 2 building massing that matches existing facades, an Animal Sciences building, a future greenhouse, expanded parking and photovoltaic (PV) panels on the roof. Boatman emphasized planning to retain function for occupied spaces during demolition phases and said slides will be shared with the bond oversight committee ahead of its next meeting.

Board members asked about timing. Presenters said they do not expect ground to break within the next 12 months but defended GCCM as a tool to establish cost earlier in the design phase and to reduce schedule risk on complex, phased work.

John Boatman said, "I always nerd out a little bit on the photovoltaic, the PV panels on the roof," when describing sustainability features on the Phase 2 design.

Next steps: staff will present the GCCM approach to the project review committee and the bond oversight committee and proceed with the competitive, qualifications-based contractor selection process as appropriate. No final procurement award was made at this meeting.