NVUSD approves lease-leaseback contracts for high school modernizations and advances districtwide solar plans

At its regular meeting, the Napa Valley Unified School District board approved initial lease-leaseback contracting steps that move modernization work for high school and middle-school groupings closer to construction and advanced procurement related to districtwide solar installations.

Assistant Superintendent Rob Manguela told the board that PBK was selected as the architect for the high school grouping earlier this year and staff recommended an initial lease-leaseback award to Wright Contracting for Napa High and Vintage work; Wright will solicit subcontract bids and return to the board with guaranteed maximum price figures before work commences. For Stonebridge, Redwood Middle School, and Valley Oak, staff recommended Arntz Brothers as the lease-leaseback contractor, again as an initial award pending GMAX approval.

Manguela also reported that districtwide solar projects continue to progress: the agenda included hiring an inspector of record, and staff expect the first ground-breaking in mid-November at sites with ground-level installations pending Division of the State Architect (DSA) approvals. "Right now, we're primarily waiting for DSA to approve, with the first breaking of the ground likely happening in November," he said.

Board members asked clarifying questions about the contracting sequence and schedule; motions to approve the lease-leaseback items and associated facility contracts were moved and seconded and passed on the recorded roll calls. No public comment was received for the action items. Staff emphasized that tonight’s approvals were initial awards and that final costs will be set after subcontract bids and guaranteed maximum price approvals.

Next steps include site evaluations, roof and materials sampling, completion of subcontract bidding, return to the board for guaranteed maximum price approvals, and anticipated construction starts once approvals are complete.