Board awards pre-construction contracts for multi-school modernization projects

The Lake Stevens School District Board unanimously approved a set of pre-construction contracts at its Aug. 13 meeting, moving several major modernization and safety projects into the pre-construction phase.

Director David Iseminger moved to award a pre-construction contract to Spec West for the Skyline/Lake Stevens Middle School modernization and expansion; Director Vildan Kirby seconded and the motion was approved unanimously. The board approved additional pre-construction contracts that evening: Cornerstone for the Elementary Eight and Glenwood modernization and expansion; Bayley Construction for Safety and Program Improvements and Additions; and Cornerstone for the Secondary Innovative Learning Center/Central Kitchen/Mt. Pilchuck Gym project. Each motion was seconded and recorded as unanimously approved.

Facilities and School Planning staff noted that contractor work and paperwork for already completed public-works projects had been reviewed and accepted earlier in the meeting. The pre-construction awards mark a procedural step to allow general contractor/construction-manager teams to begin detailed planning and scheduling for the multi-site projects.

Board members praised the collaborative approach with contractors and stressed the importance of oversight as the projects move forward. The board did not take separate votes on project budgets at this meeting; contract-award motions were for pre-construction services as described in the meeting packet.