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Board approves CMAR contract with LeChase for New Tech High conversion to elementary school
Summary
The Warren County Schools Board approved a construction-manager-at-risk contract with LeChase to renovate and convert the New Tech High building into an elementary school; the presentation outlined a 3.25% fee, a preconstruction fee presented as $250,000, and a planned GMP process.
The Warren County Schools Board on March 25 approved a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) contract with LeChase to renovate the former New Tech High building and convert it into an elementary school. Vice Chair Sims moved to approve the contract; the motion was seconded and the board chair announced the motion carried.
In a presentation before the vote, Wayne Felton of NEMA Management summarized the procurement process and contract terms. He said the district publicly solicited CM firms, received six proposals, shortlisted four and unanimously recommended LeChase. Felton described the CMAR role as advising during preconstruction and providing a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) later in the design process.
Felton told the board the contract includes a construction fee of 3.25% of the cost of work and that preconstruction services were set at $250,000. He said the district’s owner’s contingency was set at $820,000 and that general condition costs were estimated at a little over $2,000,000 based on a 15-month construction period with a three-month closeout; the presentation assumed a target notice to proceed in May 2026. Felton said the GMP will be established after schematic/design phases and incorporated by amendment.
Chair Layman asked for a clarification after an apparent discrepancy in the presentation about a 'not to exceed 3%' figure; Felton reiterated the fee figures and said the contingency language would be reconciled at GMP. Board members who have been involved in the negotiations and consultants working with the district indicated they felt confident moving forward.
The board did not provide a roll-call tally in the public transcript; the chair announced the motion carried. The district indicated the contract award moves the project into preconstruction, where design documents and pricing will be refined and the GMP agreed before construction begins.
