Board approves revised budget, GMP amendment path for Lakeland Middle School parking lot

Lakeland Joint School District board meeting (May 2026) — Trustees approved a revised project budget and authorized staff to proceed with a guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) amendment for the Lakeland Middle School (LMS) parking-lot project so work can proceed this summer.

Administration explained that while awards to subcontractors had been approved previously, the district had not approved the general-contractor GMP or a line-item budget that included lighting. Staff presented two totals: $600,013 for the project without lighting and $656,004.89 with the lighting alternate. "If you would like to forego the lighting, it's $600,013," staff said; "with the lighting included is $656,004.89." Staff said the initial budget request of roughly $509,600 had increased during procurement but deletions and fee reductions had reduced the higher figures to the amounts presented.

Board members asked for clearer motion language and supporting documents; staff said they would include suggested motion text in future board packets. Trustees approved the revised budget so General Construction can prepare a GMP amendment; staff noted that without approval the parking-lot project would not proceed this summer.

Why it matters: The parking-lot work affects school safety, traffic circulation and scheduling for the coming school year. Approving the budget and GMP amendment clears a procurement hurdle and preserves the summer timeline for construction.

What’s next: Staff will execute the GMP amendment with the general contractor, finalize subcontractor scopes, and proceed with summer construction; trustees asked staff to provide clearer packet language and to include lighting as a board discretion point.