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Board hears schematic-design updates and budget estimates for elementary projects and possible NAI rebuild
Summary
Consultants told the board the schematic-design phase is complete for four projects (three elementary schools and the NAI program), reported geotechnical and zoning findings that support multiple high-school massing options, and presented schematic-level cost estimates that place the NAI program near $226 million.
District consultants updated the North Allegheny School Board on schematic design status, site investigations and budget estimates on March 11, laying out next steps for three elementary renovations and an extended program for North Allegheny High School (NAI).
Mike Arnold, the district's construction-management lead, told the board the elementary projects and portions of the high-school work remain on schedule and are moving from schematic design into design development. "We remain on that schedule," he said, and noted the district expects to present a further update in June when design development concludes and more detailed estimates are available.
Consultants outlined elementary scopes (Hozak, Ingemar and Peebles) including secure-entry additions, learning-group-instruction (LGI) rooms, cabinetry and acoustical improvements, bathroom and gym updates, and mechanical work such as unit-ventilator replacement. On Hozak, the team said current compliance meets 32 of 38 state standards with plans to reach full coverage.
For NAI, architect David Schrader and his team presented three massing options (courtyard, L-shaped, U-shaped) and a career-technology-and-innovation hub concept intended to centralize career pathways and cross-curricular spaces. Geotechnical testing on the playing fields found no pyrite and indicated no unusual foundation requirements, a finding consultants described as "major" for siting the new building on the playing-field area.
Schrader also reviewed two pool-location options for the Nash pool. SiteLogic reported an alternate siting that preserves an existing bearing wall would reduce structural work and save roughly $2 million while still accommodating the requested ~1,000 bleacher seats by building seating above a corridor.
On budget, the consultants presented schematic-level estimates and said the NAI program's current schematic estimate is roughly $226 million, which they characterized as inside the earlier conceptual range of about $214 million to $230 million. The team emphasized that the figure includes soft costs, contingencies and escalation and that estimate refinement will continue during design development.
Board members asked about construction logistics, phasing to avoid classroom disruption, temporary parking loss at the high school and whether portions of the existing structure could be retained to avoid costly demolition. Consultants said the recommended approach is to build the new facility behind the existing NAI so students can be moved in before demolishing the old building; they noted prior conceptual options had been studied and that the current plan reduced programmatic and schedule disruption.
Consultants said the next steps include geotechnical follow-up, permitting, civil engineering and continued design development through summer planning milestones. They also described student-engagement opportunities during construction (tours, internships and measurement exercises) to turn construction into learning experiences.
Why it matters: The schematic decisions now under discussion will shape project bidding, phasing and long-term district finances; site and foundation findings remove a major technical constraint for building behind the existing NAI.
What comes next: The team will return in June with design-development updates, refined cost estimates and alternates for board consideration.
