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McPherson board hears major construction update; CTE pre-cast timeline proposed, budget flagged about 10% over
Summary
The McPherson Board of Education received a detailed schematic-to-bid update on middle- and high‑school projects and heard a proposal to fast‑track a pre-cast CTE building to secure a production slot this summer; staff reported internal cost estimates about 10% above budget and asked the board to authorize early procurement discussions with the construction manager.
Mr. Cash, the facilities presenter invited to address the board, gave a comprehensive project update on schematic design and next steps for McPherson High School and the middle school. He said schematic design is complete and the district will move into design development through August, with construction documents delivered before Christmas and a planned early‑February construction start for the high‑school first phase. "When we get into construction documents we can actually draw it accurately so the contractor can move forward," he said.
Cash described site and building changes that aim to improve safety and operations: a dedicated service drive behind the performing arts center, separated parent drop‑off and student parking to avoid roadway crossings, new commons that bridges old and new buildings, a flex theater designed to double as an ICC 500 storm shelter, and multiple gyms and locker rooms located to keep visiting teams from crossing the home fields. For the middle school he outlined entry and traffic circulation improvements, ADA parking, and the conversion of three kindergarten rooms to science labs.
A notable element of the plan is a standalone 15,000‑square‑foot CTE (career and technical education) building proposed south of the PAC. Cash said the CTE would be a pre‑cast structure with long‑span roof trusses—"no columns"—and include a wood shop, an automotive bay for eight cars and a welding shop. He told the board the reason for the pre‑cast approach is schedule: "If we move quickly we can procure the pre‑cast walls and the span joist as early as starting in July as soon as the construction manager is on board," and that early procurement could secure a manufacturing slot such that the building could be dried‑in by mid‑December.
Board member Chelsea asked whether the district had weighed risks of rushing the pre‑cast option. "I just feel like we're rushing this and it's not a firm solid building," she said, citing concern about program disruption and loss of hands‑on learning time if the schedule slips. Cash responded that pre‑cast panels will be clad with brick and will present as a typical high‑school building: "It'll look like a finished high school building when it's done," and he argued pre‑cast gives schedule certainty and durability.
On cost, Cash told the board his internal estimates currently show the overall program about 10% over the district's target. He said that once the construction manager (CM) is on board—facility committee interviews were set for late June—the CM will refine estimates and present options to reduce scope or value‑engineer the project. "At some point there probably will be some hard decisions that have to be made," Cash said, adding the district will bring specific trade‑offs back to the board.
The board discussed sequencing and logistics: build the standalone CTE first so programs can move in over winter break, then tear down existing shops and begin the high‑school addition in February; or delay the CTE to build on the back of the building, which would push the overall schedule and increase costs. Cash said the CM recommendation will help the board decide.
The board emphasized priorities they do not want cut—safety, secure entries and storm shelters—and asked staff to provide a clear list of "non‑negotiables" alongside options the CM will present.
Next procedural steps: facility committee interviews for CM firms were scheduled, with the board expecting to take formal action to hire a CM at a June 29 meeting. The board will also receive CM cost estimates and a proposed GMP (guaranteed maximum price) package in mid‑July, and administration said it will report updated cost estimates and prioritized trade options to the board as those numbers solidify.
What happens next: the board will consider CM recommendations, procurement authority for early pre‑cast/steel packages, and specific value‑engineering options once the CM provides accurate estimates. The board set timelines to approve early procurement steps at upcoming meetings so the pre‑cast schedule can be pursued if the CM advises doing so.
