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Saint James Elementary replacement: district projects $61.7M hard cost; staff to request about $5M in September
Summary
Staff updated the committee on Saint James Elementary replacement: phase 1 complete, phase 3 construction to begin Jan. 2027 with June 2028 completion targeted; staff reported tracked hard costs around $61.7M and said it expects to request an additional $5.0M–$5.5M in September after a Sept. 10 GMP.
Facilities staff gave a detailed update on the Saint James Elementary replacement project, outlining completed phase work, upcoming construction phases, schedule expectations and budget pressures.
Mr. Birch said phase 1 is complete (modular classrooms set and old portables removed) and that phase 2 site work will establish construction safety zones, modify the bus lot and create temporary fire lanes and stormwater ponds. He said phase 3 is scheduled to start in January 2027, that building-phase work will take about 18 months and that the district is aiming for completion in June 2028.
On cost, Mr. Birch described escalation on some line items driven by fuel and other market pressures but said negotiations with the contractor had held building hard costs near the prior proposal. He reported the district is tracking hard construction costs at about $61,700,000 and said staff is "anticipating between 5 and $5,500,000 is what our request will be in September." Birch said the project team expects a final guaranteed maximum price (GMP) from the contractor on Sept. 10 and will return to the facilities committee on Sept. 21 with a revised budget request for committee and board consideration.
Committee members asked operational questions: staff confirmed the same contractor will perform demolition and construction and that both are included in the pricing; the new school will be sized for roughly 1,200 students and about 130,000 square feet. Questions about laydown yards and construction access were answered with a plan to fence and segregate worker parking and routing away from the bus lot. When asked about early operational issues, Mr. Birch reported only typical first-day matters (a small AC issue and minor leaks) and said modular classrooms and drop-off ran smoothly.
Staff said it will work with the finance department to identify a funding source for the delta and expects the September request to be the last funding request for this building.
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