Facilities staff update committee on referendum projects, program contingency and subcontractor outreach event

District facilities staff provided a construction and finance update covering both the 2019 referendum closeout and current work under the 2023 referendum. They said final reconciliation remains on the 2019 referendum (architect fees and open commitments) and outlined schedules for 2023 projects: Mid River Elementary foundations are underway; Bay River High CTE/JROTC was nearing final inspection the week of Feb. 22–23; several CTE and design packages (Bluffton High School CTE, Bluffton Early Childhood Center, Ladies Island projects) are moving toward CD issuance and summer construction.

Staff discussed budgeting methodology (cost per square foot per student), noting that Layside Middle School’s construction estimate was reported at approximately $52.5 million with a total project budget near $61 million when design and non‑construction costs are included. Committee members asked why roughly $187 million remained unspent; staff explained that many large projects had not yet been bid and those amounts represent funds reserved for upcoming construction packages.

At the end of January staff reported paid and committed funds of $258.91 million and available funds (including contingency) of $180.13 million; program contingency at the project level was about $6.68 million and the remaining program contingency about $7.5 million. Staff said contingency analyses are ongoing to manage allocations and avoid previous shortfalls.

Staff announced a community outreach event for subcontractors and trades on March 4 at 5:30 p.m. at the district office to share RFQ/RFP opportunities for referendum and 8% projects and to connect local subcontractors with prime contractors.