Committee approves summer construction contractors; playground replacements to proceed pending final bids

The Finance & Facilities Committee approved recommended subcontractors for a package of summer school projects and heard details from CG Schmidt about school-by-school work, while also agreeing to move forward with playground replacements after receiving preliminary cost estimates and a promise of concrete bids at the next meeting.

Justin Smith of CG Schmidt introduced the contractor team and said his firm will partner with the district to design and execute summer projects. A CG Schmidt representative described site-specific work: adding a secure entry at Riverview Elementary; building a parent/bus drop and additional parking at Monroe; adding two study rooms and an ADA bathroom near special education at Stengle; infilling the underused Washington pool and relocating the fitness center to create contemporary learning spaces; converting existing tech-ed space to special education classrooms and creating new tech-ed rooms at Wilson; and painting and finishing work across about 32 classrooms at Wilson.

CG Schmidt recommended MEP subcontractors that would both design and perform plumbing, HVAC and electrical work. The presenter said Lusher Plumbing was the lowest qualified bidder for plumbing, Hubbard Electric was recommended for electrical, and J & Brennan (a Milwaukee firm) was recommended where additional design capacity was needed. The presenter noted some bid items (dust collectors and kiln work at Lincoln, Washington and Washington and Lincoln) required further definition and that a handful of contractors were selected because of limited summer capacity across the market.

A committee member moved to accept the recommended bids and allow contracting to proceed immediately so the subcontractors could begin design and start construction as manpower allows; the motion was seconded and passed on a voice vote.

Committee members also discussed playground replacements at four elementary schools. Staff said multiple bids were received and that the district hopes to replace needed play structures this summer; the transcript recorded inconsistent cost figures in discussion and staff committed to providing concrete bids at the next board meeting. The committee moved and approved advancing the playground bids and locking in contractors at the next meeting, with final numbers to be presented then.