The Board of Education voted Dec. 9 to approve a construction-manager-at-risk preconstruction services agreement for La Plata High School, authorizing staff to proceed with Schiavo Construction as the recommended preconstruction partner.

Planning and construction staff described the project as an occupied renovation and addition expected to increase the schools state-rated capacity from just under 1,200 to about 1,593 (roughly 400 additional seats). The district estimated construction costs in the solicitation at between $120 million and $140 million and described the delivery method as CMR (construction manager at risk), in which a partner helps finalize designs, develop constructability recommendations and prepare bid packages leading to a guaranteed maximum price (GMP).

Steve Andrews and other planning staff told the board the CMR solicitation drew interest from 16 firms and produced eight proposals; committee interviews shortlisted four firms before the selection committee recommended Schiavo Construction for preconstruction services based on evaluation scores and fee components.

Board members asked about local subcontractor participation, minority- and women-owned business goals, CTE student opportunities on the site and phasing to minimize classroom disruption. Staff said they set an overall minority-business participation goal of 21 percent (including 11 percent women-owned and 8 percent African American subgoals per state parameters) and that Schiavo, a local firm based in Calvert County, had a strong local subcontractor base. Staff also said the project will include outreach and apprenticeship opportunities for local CTE students and will schedule the loudest work for summers or nonstudent hours where possible.

A motion to approve the preconstruction services selection was moved by Jamila Smith and seconded by Brenda Thomas; the motion carried on voice vote.