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East Marshall board approves schematic design Option B for bond project, seeks cost cuts and alternates
Summary
After presentations by architects and the construction manager, the East Marshall board approved schematic design Option B for the bond project and directed staff to pursue identified cost reductions and 2–3 bid alternates to bring the SD budget toward the district target.
The East Marshall Community School District board approved schematic design Option B for the district bond project after an extensive review of site plans, material options and an Estus cost opinion showing an all-in schematic total of roughly $27.9 million.
Architects presented four site/layout options for the Laurel addition and overall campus circulation; Option B was recommended for classroom sightlines, improved parking, and keeping service functions (dumpsters, propane tanks and the electrical transformer) accessible without major pipework or tank relocation. Architects warned that site constraints—including propane tank setbacks and required fire-lane access—limit how the addition can be sited without moving infrastructure or buying additional land.
Estus pre-construction manager Reed Festing Smith delivered an SD-level cost opinion and timeline assumptions (construction in 2027). The schematic, as presented, carries an all-in project total of $27,915,851. Board members and Estus discussed reductions and alternates to get closer to the district’s target bond cap (~$26 million): suggested cuts and alternates included shrinking the Gilman lobby/ramp scope (considering a wheelchair lift rather than a long ramp), moving the barrel-gym HVAC to an alternate, limiting some locker-room/locker-concession finish work, and offering a single-mat wrestling addition as a base bid with a two-mat addition as an alternate.
Why it matters: The schematic approval advances the project into the next design and cost-estimating phase, but the all-in estimate exceeds the district target. Board members emphasized the need to lock a base scope that fits known bond capacity while keeping a small set of clearly defined alternates that could be added if bid-day results allow.
Board action: A motion to approve the schematic design (Option B) passed (motion made and seconded; one board member recorded opposition on the floor). The board directed staff and the design/construction team to: 1) revise the SD cost opinion where small-scope reductions are feasible; 2) identify two to three prioritized alternates for bidding; and 3) provide a pay-draw forecast and updated budget schedule to the board ahead of the March 23 public hearing on property tax/budget matters.
Clarity and next steps: The construction manager recommended using alternates for items that require more detailed design work or that can be economically reinserted if bids come back favorable. The board asked staff to return updated budget positions and a refined set of alternates in advance of upcoming special meetings.
The board also approved standard bond-related contracts (financial advisor Piper Sandler and bond disclosure counsel) and scheduled the statutory public hearing on the FY27 property tax/budget for March 23 at 6 p.m.
