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Council approves tile upgrades for new South Kingstown High School; solar added to feasibility list
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Summary
The council approved two Gilbane change orders to add ceramic tile in corridors (owner's contingency to be used); members asked for a vendor study before committing to a solar array, with a preliminary example cost cited for a smaller school at about $1.5 million.
The South Kingstown Town Council approved two contract change orders for the new South Kingstown High School that will substitute ceramic tile in high‑impact corridors and classroom towers. Presenters said the changes increase upfront cost but reduce future maintenance, with the school building task force recommending the upgrades.
The two alternates were presented as a durability investment: alternate 2a (corridor tile) was shown as a $189,699 increase to Gilbane's contract and alternate 3b (classroom tower corridors) as a $168,401 increase; both would be funded from the owner's contingency. The school building committee said tile will reduce long‑term maintenance in high‑traffic areas and recommended approval, while council members raised potential increased corridor reverberation and asked the design team to monitor acoustics.
Council members also discussed making the building "solar ready" and asked staff to pursue vendor studies that estimate the cost/benefit of adding rooftop solar. A vendor example cited during the meeting for a smaller high‑school project was roughly $1.5 million; the presenters emphasized that a site‑specific feasibility study would be needed before committing town funds. The building is being designed with flexibility to accept panels in the future, and staff said multiple financing approaches exist (direct purchase, third‑party ownership, or later add‑on funded separately from the construction contract).
Outcome and next steps: Council approved the change orders by voice vote and directed staff to pursue a technical cost study for solar options and report back to the council before any capital commitment.
Provenance: School change orders introduced SEG 1819 and discussed through SEG 1960; solar readiness discussion continues into SEG 2050.
