Board approves owner–architect agreements for four elementary schools totaling about $33.25 million in program budgets

The Huntsville City Schools Board of Education voted May 5 to move forward with owner–architect and engineering agreements for four Priority 2B elementary schools: Weatherly, Ridgecrest, Monte Sano and Dawson.

Project summaries presented by staff listed program budgets and proposed architects: Weatherly — $9.5 million program budget with CC&Litchfield Architects (architect fee $494,000 plus $100,000 allowances for unforeseen conditions); Ridgecrest — $10 million with Charles Williams Architects (fee $542,000); Monte Sano — $7.75 million with Chapman Sisson Architects (fee $433,000) emphasizing a kitchen expansion and window replacements; Dawson — $6 million with Studio 2H (fee $320,000) focused primarily on interior renovations and site improvements.

Staff said the projects are major renovations that will include new gyms at several schools, media center and administration upgrades, updated lighting, flooring, HVAC work and exterior improvements; construction is anticipated to go to market in 2027 pending state approvals. "The bulk of these projects are gonna be 2027," the presenter said.

A board member asked about gym sizes at Weatherly given expected enrollment; staff agreed to review the programing and sizing as part of the design phase. The board approved the agreements during the meeting.

What’s next: staff will begin programming and principal meetings, finalize design work this year and submit packages to the state. If state review proceeds on schedule, construction bids will be solicited in early 2027.