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John Winthrop Middle School project near substantial completion; elevator subcontractor seeks additional $14,000
Summary
QA+M architects told the Region 4 JWMS Security Project Building Committee on Sept. 4 that construction is progressing and the school opened without interruption. The elevator subcontractor is requesting roughly $14,000 for tariff costs; the general contractor is disputing the charge.
At a Sept. 4 meeting of the Region 4 Board of Education’s John Winthrop Middle School Security Project Building Committee, QA+M architects Erin Benken and Rusty Malik reported that construction is progressing steadily and the contractor is still anticipating substantial completion of all work, excluding the elevator installation, in mid‑September. The update was given remotely at 8:31 a.m.
Benken and Malik said school was able to start without significant interruption to the learning environment while construction continued. They reported that the interior main office has been secured, with only minor finishing work remaining outside school hours. Concrete stairs, ramps and sidewalks have been poured and are being completed; framing is progressing and the brick veneer on the elevator shaft is nearing completion. Storefronts, including windows and doors, are being installed at the elevator vestibules.
The architects told the committee that the elevator subcontractor is requesting an additional $14,000 — approximately 10% of the elevator cost — to cover tariff‑related costs it says it encountered. According to the update, Orlando Annulli & Sons, the general contractor, is pushing back against the subcontractor’s request. Committee members were told they will be updated on the issue at a future meeting.
Dr. Carolyn Gbunblee, principal of John Winthrop Middle School, reported that the school reopened without interruption and that parent drop‑off and pick‑up have proceeded smoothly under the agreed plans. Robert Grissom, the district’s finance director, also presented a budget snapshot through Aug. 31, 2025 and reported that the project remains on budget.
Next steps: the committee will monitor the elevator tariff dispute and receive further updates; no final decision on the elevator charge was made at the Sept. 4 meeting.
