Orting board recommends Skanska as construction manager and advances school design plans

The Orting School District board voted to recommend Skanska USA Inc. as the district's general contractor/construction manager (GCCM) for bond-funded capital work and approved an interim consultant agreement to begin early coordination while final contracts are prepared. The action, taken during the board's regular meeting, followed a multi-step selection process and public presentation by Skanska representatives.

Board members said the committee reviewed seven statements of qualifications, held four interviews and considered two fee proposals before arriving at its recommendation. A resolution to recommend award of GCCM services, identified in the meeting as Resolution 9.2025-2026 and described as complying with RCW 39.10, was moved, seconded and passed by voice vote. The board also approved an interim consultant agreement with Skanska to allow work to start on time while legal agreements are finalized.

The selection discussion emphasized local community benefits. Board members and the selection committee highlighted Skanska's local staff, union signatory relationships, and plans to track and encourage community spending and workforce participation. "We wanted people who feel this community in their chest," a committee member said, and Skanska executive Margo Van Sorenson told the board her team was "all in" and already coordinating with design staff.

At the meeting the board also approved Resolution 8.2025-2026, authorizing district personnel (the owner's representative) limited purchasing authority to execute time‑sensitive construction items up to $75,000 to keep schedules on track. The chair said that authority helps the project's critical path during construction.

Design teams gave a substantive facilities update the board had requested. Consultants described work on the new elementary site (including a proposed roundabout at White Hawk Avenue, widened access at Daffodil for three lanes to allow bus queuing, and an expanded artificial turf field sized to support multiple sports). They reported that wetland biologists had recently re-examined site wetlands with “positive” initial findings and that an outdoor learning area will face existing trees and mountain views.

On the high school campus the designers outlined three phasing options tied to bond cycles (phase 1 blue/phase 2 red/phase 3 yellow). Option 1 — locating new construction near the existing pack and athletic complex — was favored to consolidate campus circulation, create a secure entry sequence, and allow earlier delivery of larger PE and shop spaces. The team noted that some wings were redesigned (one previously single-story wing is shown as two stories now) to better match room needs and allow future flexibility.

Consultants said community engagement has informed design choices: principals, teachers and more than 200 student survey responses were incorporated; the district will convene bond oversight committees and pre-application meetings with the city of Orting in coming weeks. The board directed staff to continue coordinating with the city and to bring more detailed schematic information to May work sessions.

What happens next: Skanska will begin early consultant work under the interim agreement while staff and legal teams finalize contract details. The board expects schematic design and level estimating to continue through May, with additional public discussion planned at the bond oversight committee and at a May workshop.

Resolution and agreements approved by the board at this meeting will be included in the public record for the bond program. The board recorded voice votes of "Aye" for the GCCM recommendation and the interim agreement; the transcript records unanimous voice approval but no roll-call tally by name.