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Phase 2 bids for Elizabeth Forward addition come in under earlier estimates; board divided over turf and electrical alternates
Summary
District officials reported Phase 2 bids that produced a recommended construction package near $29.5 million (construction) and a project total near $36 million including contingency and soft costs; the board debated accepting turf-field alternates and major electrical upgrades versus budget constraints and timing for spring 2026 mobilization.
District project staff presented detailed Phase 2 design and bid results at the Nov. 12 Committee of the Whole meeting and recommended prompt contract awards to allow spring 2026 mobilization.
Project representative David Macias summarized scope and schedule: the Phase 2 addition would add roughly 40,000 square feet of academic wings to bring seventh and eighth graders into the high school, modernize building systems, replace windows and metal panels, and include site work for parking and athletic fields. The design team said construction was intended to start in spring 2026 with a goal of completion in August 2027; contracts were structured with liquidated damages for missed completion dates.
Macias reviewed bid results across trades and alternates. On the general-contractor side the recommended low bidder after selected alternates (including synthetic turf for four fields) was Rycon; when Rycon’s base bid is combined with alternates the recommended general-construction total was $21,263,000. The five prime contracts plus alternates produced a recommended construction sum of $29,517,370 and, when combined with a 5% construction contingency and soft costs, a project total the presenter calculated as about $36,000,008.96. Macias described alternates the board could accept or decline, including a reduced-daylighting exterior option (a deduct), stain vs paint for existing brick, and turf alternates for four separate fields.
Macias said the turf alternates together amount to approximately $1.7 million. He also recommended two large electrical alternates (EC3/EC4) totaling about $548,000 to replace main feeders, panels and many circuits in the existing high school — work the presenter described as difficult to re-do later.
Board members split over whether to accept field and electrical alternates. One trustee said the district was not in a position to spend “$4 to $5,000,000 on athletic fields right now,” noting budget pressures and the district’s other needs; another argued that bidding now captured a market window and that delaying would likely cost more in the future. Members also questioned whether turf fields without lights would generate meaningful rental revenue and expressed concern about sole-bid electrical trades (the electrical package received only one bid). Several trustees urged prompt award to avoid delays from long lead times for materials if contracts are not awarded quickly.
No final contract awards were voted at the Nov. 12 meeting; staff recommended the board consider accepting specific alternates and awarding the five prime contracts so submittals and shop drawings could start in time for spring mobilization.
