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Board approves design and construction contracts for Westlake elementary; members flag traffic and neighborhood impacts
Summary
The board approved two contracts to design and manage construction of a prototype low‑energy elementary school in Westlake, while members and staff discussed coordination with the county and raised concerns about traffic patterns and prior retroactive costs to mitigate neighborhood impacts.
The Palm Beach County School Board voted unanimously to approve two contracts to advance a prototype low‑EUI elementary school in the rapidly growing Westlake area.
Superintendent Michael Burke recommended the RFP and associated contract with Sikovich LLC for design services (PC 6) and an RFP/contract with Moss and Associates LLC for construction management at‑risk services (PC 7). After board members paused to discuss neighborhood traffic and the need for interagency coordination, both motions carried unanimously.
Several board members used the discussion to press for closer planning before construction. Miss Savallero and Vice Chair Andrews emphasized that design should account for how families, buses and neighborhoods will interact with the campus. Miss Savallero told the board that post‑construction traffic responses have generated county costs; during the traffic safety discussion (BD 2) staff cited a county work order of nearly $330,000 to install curb after unanticipated neighborhood impacts at a prior school project.
Superintendent Burke said district staff meet monthly with county officials and will be sensitive to traffic concerns. Board members asked staff to continue coordinating with county engineering, municipal leaders and law enforcement during the design and preconstruction phases to reduce the likelihood of costly retrofits.
Both contract approvals authorize the superintendent and board chair to finalize and sign necessary documents. The board did not attach conditions to the approvals beyond the directive to coordinate with county partners and stakeholders during implementation.
