Board hears bid recommendation for student support facility; $19.57M low bid reported
Summary
Lincoln Public Schools staff reported that nine bids were opened for a 50,000-square-foot student support facility from the 2020 bond; Sheeley Caton Construction was identified as the lowest responsible bidder at $19,569,000, with project budget listed at $24,800,000 and a target opening in Fall 2027 pending second-reading approval.
Lincoln Public Schools staff briefed the school board on Jan. 27 about a recommended low bidder for a new student support facility funded by the district’s 2020 bond.
Brook Hay presented the first-reading update, saying planning moved to active construction preparation in June 2024, design and early grading are complete, and nine sealed bids were opened Jan. 15. Following a review of references and the project team, staff identified Sheeley Caton Construction as the lowest responsible bidder. "The contract amount of $19,569,000 will be fully funded by the 2020 bond and sits within the approved total project budget of $24,800,000," Hay said.
Hay described the project as a 50,000-square-foot facility aimed at serving high-school behavioral skills and student services programs, with shared amenities including a gymnasium with a wood floor, fitness room, library, art room with a kiln, science lab and family and consumer sciences space. Staff said the goal is to have the facility ready for students in August 2027 after a second reading and authorization.
Board members asked programmatic questions about shared spaces and confirmed that the design intentionally provides a normalizing high-school environment for students who will use the facility. Staff also noted the competitive nature of the procurement, with bids clustered closely and several within 5% of each other.
Because this item was presented at the first reading, the board did not take a final vote on contract award at the Jan. 27 meeting; staff said they expect to return for a second reading and authorization on Feb. 10.
