York Suburban SD hears high school construction update; design revisions aim to trim costs as bids are scheduled for July

The York Suburban School District board received a detailed update on the high school construction project, including scope revisions, cost estimates from two independent firms and a tentative summer bidding schedule.

Consultants and district staff said they identified programmatic efficiencies that removed about 3,500 square feet — largely duplicated small‑group instruction space stacked on each floor — which the presentation estimated would save roughly $1.2 million. That reduction was presented as an offset to an urgent set of repairs and upgrades to the high school gymnasium: the floor requires replacement and bleachers must be renovated or replaced to meet code and to reach roughly a 1,000‑seat competition capacity. Presenters said the additional gym work adds roughly $1 million to the project cost.

"We were able to net out those same spaces to renovated spaces," the administration explained during the presentation, saying the change preserves the district’s programmatic goals while reducing new construction. Consultants from the two firms on the panel described their independent estimates: one firm’s base project estimate was presented near $79.7 million (with all alternates just north of $80.8 million), while the other firm reported a higher number in the low‑to‑mid $83 million range; both firms said their independent ranges overlap and that a 3.6% contingency range was typical for the market now.

The administration proposed a two‑week extension to finalize construction documents so the district will not issue a bid packet that requires significant addenda. Key dates the board was given: construction documents are expected to be completed by June 19 and issued publicly by June 23; a pre‑bid meeting for contractors is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on June 30; the bid opening is planned for July 28; and the board could act on results during August meetings (Aug. 10 or Aug. 24). If approved, construction was projected to begin in September 2026 and run through October 2028.

Staff also described project phasing to limit classroom disruption: initial site work and installation of modular classrooms would occur from September through December, with a goal that affected students would move into permanent renovated spaces after the winter break (January) so major moves take place during semester breaks rather than mid‑term.

District officials said they have worked with two consultant teams to produce independent estimates and to preserve the project within the district’s available borrowing; they emphasized alternates and deducts (for pool, auditorium, or electrical feeders) that the board could remove if necessary to lower the award amount.

The board heard the presentation and posed operational questions about spectator capacity, hosting PIAA tournaments and revenue potential, scheduling of the modular classrooms and the specialty scope for the natatorium. No formal action on the construction contract was taken at the meeting; staff said the next public step will be issuance of bid documents and a pre‑bid meeting as scheduled.

The presentation concluded with the district’s reassurance that members will be kept apprised as bids return and that a formal award and possible alternates decision will be an August agenda item.