Board approves $594,709.43 GMP for LHS culinary classroom remodel

The Leavenworth Unified School District board approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $594,709.43 on May 11 to renovate the Leavenworth High School culinary arts classroom.

Joel Smith, a construction representative, told the board the procurement produced 12 bid packages and 39 bids overall but that the ventilation, hood and fire-suppression work came in significantly higher than earlier conceptual estimates; the low HVAC/hood bid was $148,450 compared with a pre-drawings budget of about $46,600. Smith said the project team had worked with architects and engineers to ensure compliance with life-safety and fire-protection codes and that the GMP includes an $8,000 overtime allowance to secure the aggressive summer schedule.

Smith presented schedule targets: construction to begin the day after Memorial Day (May 26), substantial completion on Aug. 8 and teachers returning Aug. 10. He described specific upgrades including code-compliant hoods and integrated fire suppression, additional cook stations, new epoxy flooring and updated plumbing under the classroom.

Board members asked about warranties, lead times, slip resistance of epoxy floors, plumbing connections and schedule risks; Smith said standard warranties apply (one-year with longer warranties if specifications require) and that the team will test and, if necessary, substitute materials to meet the school opening date.

A motion to approve the remodeling contract for $594,709.43 was made and seconded; the motion passed on voice vote ('Aye; 7–0').