Putnam County School Board approves GMP 3 for Melrose Elementary, clearing $30M phase

The Putnam County School Board voted at a special meeting to approve Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) 3 for the Melrose Elementary rebuild, authorizing the next major phase of construction that project representatives said is $30,000,009.87 of a project packet showing a roughly $35.08 million grand total.

The board heard a high-level overview from project representatives who described GMP 1 as mobilization and demolition, GMP 2 as site work and GMP 3 — the change order before the board — as the balance of work from concrete through finishes, with allowances for items not yet fully designed. Bill Pearson, a lead contractor on the project, said, “GMP number 1 was primarily for mobilization and demolition of the buildings on campus. GMP number 2 was for the site work… and this GMP 3… is the balance of the project.”

Why it matters: GMP 3 includes several large allowances that could affect the district’s schedule and future budgets if permitting or bids change. The board pressed staff and the contractor on three items singled out in the packet — campus backup power, replacement of an aging sewage lift station, and a large allowance for the on-campus wastewater treatment plant, which requires DEP permitting.

During the presentation project staff summarized cost lines and contingency. “The grand total of it is what you're seeing at the bottom, the $35.08, and the total of this piece was the $30,000,009.87,” Speaker 5 said when reviewing the packet totals. Bill Pearson explained the buyout/reconciliation approach for item 7: after subcontract bids are received the contractor will reconcile GMP line amounts to the lowest competent bidder and return any unused dollars to the district; he also noted language in item 7 that provides for escalation contingency in the current volatile construction market.

Board members raised site-operation and safety questions the contractor addressed in detail. The board discussed whether Melrose was designed as a hurricane shelter; Superintendent Rick (who responded during the exchange) said the district will continue to use Aquila for formal sheltering and that Melrose was not designed to meet formal hurricane-shelter standards — it could serve as a place of refuge after an event but designing it as an official shelter would add substantial cost.

Traffic and access drew extensive discussion. Project staff described a queueing loop to route parent drop-off primarily off State Road 26, a gated entrance off State Road 21 that will remain closed most of the time, and separate bus circulation. Board members cautioned that left-turns onto nearby highways could cause morning backups and suggested coordinating with the sheriff’s office for crossing guards. Staff said they have the Water Management District permit in hand, are continuing DOT coordination, and still need DEP approvals related to wastewater/lift-station work.

The board also discussed reuse and disposition of salvageable items. Project staff said the design was adjusted to allow reuse of existing walk-in coolers and freezers where feasible and that playground equipment has been relocated temporarily; they noted the Melrose Historical Society had salvaged some historical doors and windows and offered to coordinate limited community reuse or auctioning for school fundraising if it can be done off-campus and without interfering with construction.

On capacity and phasing, staff reported Melrose is planned for about 454 student stations. On schedule, the contractor said the blue classroom/admin buildings are being targeted for substantial completion in late spring of the target year, and Speaker 8 stated, “February and March ’27 is currently what we're showing,” for those elements on the current schedule. Renovation of Buildings 14, 15 and 16 is planned for the upcoming summer to minimize classroom disruption while other construction continues.

Operational issues during construction were also addressed: while the cafeteria is out of commission the plan is to bring lunches in from Aquila (about six miles away). Staff advised that if any renovation elements cannot be completed in the coming summer they would be bumped to the next summer and that the design includes security measures such as window film, cameras and fencing.

Formal action: Board member (Speaker 2) moved to approve the GMP as presented by the superintendent; Board member (Speaker 3) seconded. The board approved the motion by voice vote with no opposition voiced and the chair announced the motion passed. No roll-call tally was recorded in the transcript.

Next steps: Project staff will continue bid reconciliation under item 7, pursue remaining DEP permits for wastewater-related work, and advance the phased construction schedule. The board adjourned after receiving the completion and sequencing information.