School board clears Abrams Academy HVAC and restroom packages totaling about $1.42 million

The Fluvanna County School Board voted to approve two contractor packages for the long‑planned renovation of Abrams Academy, combining HVAC, low‑voltage, restroom and lobby work into two contracts the board’s staff said together total about $1,418,209.

Mr. Bower, the district’s presenter on the project, told the board the consolidated proposal reduces overall contractor overlap and remains within the division’s capital plan. "We are in fantastic shape and I have good news for this evening," he said, explaining that the two work‑order packages include HVAC/low voltage for classrooms and interior lobby and toilet‑room renovations. He gave an early total of roughly $1,387,529.50 for the work before staff confirmed that adding a licensing fee brings the combined package total to about $1,418,209.

The board approved the HVAC package in the amount of $774,145.13 (action 12C) and the restroom and lobby modifications package for $644,641.11 (action 12D). The restroom and lobby figure explicitly includes a $30,669.72 licensing fee, which staff said had been omitted from the front page of earlier documents and corrected during the meeting.

Bower reviewed the scope: creation of a secure vestibule and reception area, replacement of exterior and interior doors, conversion of three classrooms into five appropriately sized classrooms, four single‑occupancy student toilets (plus staff toilets), updated interior finishes and new technology. He said the selected general contractor is S Works, the contracting agency is Gordian, and the contractor intends to avoid construction during school hours; if work continues past the planned summer completion window, crews would do after‑hours and weekend work.

Board members pressed staff on abatement and schedule risk. Bower said the majority of anticipated abatement work involves floor tile and some connections, but cautioned that unseen conditions occasionally appear during demolition. He noted that EPA approval for abatement and the timing of contract signatures and material orders will affect the final schedule: "Their intent is to be completed by the end of the summer," he said, but added that a full schedule will be available once the contract is signed.

Several members asked for clearer public documentation. Staff committed to post a corrected project update with the revised numbers after the meeting and to provide the finish schedule and construction documents to the board. One member said they would abstain or withhold a vote until they had seen the contract; others voted in favor but registered concerns about the lack of finalized paperwork in hand.

The board also asked staff to return in July with an update on progress and an anticipated ribbon‑cutting date for community viewing.

The approvals mark a substantive step toward renovating Abrams Academy, but staff and board members left open follow‑up actions on abatement approvals, finalized contract documents, and public posting of corrected financials and finish schedules.