Board approves design-phase agreement for Margaret Newton Elementary bathroom project

The Lake County School Board on Feb. 9 approved a design‑phase intergovernmental agreement (IGA) with a consultant to begin an investment‑grade audit and design work for bathroom renovations at Margaret Newton Elementary School.

Diane moved to approve the McGinn Street IGA bathroom project contract; Jody seconded. The board polled members and several verbally recorded support before the chair declared the motion approved. The agreement authorizes phased design work and discovery to identify structural and plumbing problems before committing to construction.

Dylan, identified in the meeting as a representative of McKissrey, told the board the restrooms date from the 1950s and that plumbing is corroding. “At some point, it’s going to come apart,” Dylan said, urging the district to begin discovery and design work. He described a three‑phase design approach — conceptual, midterm and final — with engineered drawings and meetings with the fire marshal built into the final phase.

The consultant estimated a rough project cost range presented in the discussion as about $300,000–$600,000 for full repair and modernization but emphasized that the design phase is intended to refine scope and costs. He said there is no immediate upfront cost to the district for the design phase; design costs would roll into the construction contract only if the board chooses to proceed to build.

Board members asked about abatement and scheduling. The consultant said abatement work (if required) would preferably occur during a summer break to minimize disruption and that a preliminary design could be completed in roughly 3–4 months, with construction implementation estimated at about two months once scope is defined.

To limit fiscal risk, the IGA includes discrete off‑ramps at phase completions. The consultant stated each design phase has an interval on the order of about $20,000, enabling the district to pause further work if discoveries increase projected costs. The work was described as professional services under code 12‑4‑110 (energy‑related services), and the consultant said invoices tied to construction would return to the district for approval when construction pricing is presented.

The board recorded verbal assent from members including Jones, Neil, Snyder and Windsor during the roll call on the motion and the chair declared the motion approved. The design authorization moves the project into the discovery stage; the district will return to the board with detailed project costs and any recommended construction contracts if it proceeds.