The ongoing construction project at Campbell County Middle School has drawn attention from the community due to delays and questions about the potential financial impact on taxpayers.
This project, which aims to improve the school’s facilities, has faced various challenges, but progress has been made, according to the district.
Here is a comprehensive update highlighting the work completed and explaining the factors contributing to the delays.
Project scope
The middle school construction project involves significant renovations intended to improve accessibility, safety and overall student health. The renovation of the entrance plaza, including the installation of new sidewalks and ramps, enhances ADA accessibility and improves safety through the replacement of door frames, doors and hardware. This includes the creation of a secure vestibule with improved access controls, ensuring a safer environment for students, staff and visitors.
The project also encompasses replacing steps, adding a weather canopy and updating signage, which will contribute to the school’s overall functionality.
Beyond these structural upgrades, the project includes extensive school facility repairs aimed at reducing the risk of virus transmission and exposure to environmental health hazards. Renovations have been carried out in all restrooms, windows have been replaced (307 finished, 16 to be delivered) and the nurse and first aid bay has been updated.
Further, systems such as fire suppression, HVAC and electrical infrastructure have been upgraded to meet modern standards.
Construction management and bidding process
The district initiated the construction project by issuing a request for proposal for construction management services on May 20, 2022. Out of thirteen companies invited to bid, only three responded, with Codell Construction Management being the only formal proposal.
Codell was chosen based on its comprehensive proposal, experience, and recommendations from multiple references, according to the district. Since then, they have been responsible for coordinating construction activities, scheduling, cost estimation and managing multiple contractors.
According to Campbell County Schools, when the bidding process for specific construction tasks was conducted, it revealed a concerning and recent trend for surrounding schools—the majority of packages received only one bid, and in some cases, only two or three bids were submitted. For instance, the general trades package received just two bids, and several other critical packages, such as masonry, structural steel, roofing and HVAC, received only one bid each.
“This lack of competition among bidders has been one of the significant challenges, as it limits the ability to select from a broader range of proposals, potentially contributing to delays in project completion,” the district said. “Despite these challenges, the district has worked diligently to ensure that the selected contractors deliver high-quality work.”
Timeline, delays and remaining work
The construction’s original baseline finish date was set for Feb. 23; however, the project has encountered delays due to several factors, including adverse weather conditions, supply chain issues, labor shortages, long lead times for material production and unforeseen complications with the existing building’s infrastructure, which dates back to construction phases in 1939, 1948, 1962 and 1969.
Despite these challenges, progress has been made. Completed areas include the entrance plaza (excluding pillars), the lobby, the gym vestibule, the nurse and first aid bay, the reception office, the drop-off loop and the majority of window replacements. All restrooms and tasks, such as mechanical rooms and electrical updates, have been completed.
Some tasks remain unfinished, including the delivery and installation of final stone anchors for the entrance plaza, the installation of the remaining 16 windows and the completion of a few hollow metal and wood doors. The district said these outstanding items are being prioritized to minimize further delays and ensure the project is completed as soon as possible.
Community impact
The district said that there have been “no negative financial impacts on the district or taxpayers” as a result of the delays.
Contractual agreements with Codell Construction Management, according to the district, protect it from bearing the financial burden of delays. When the project was initiated, it was done so with approximately $5 million in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds, and of the $455,715 contingency allocated for unexpected costs, $337,019.53 remains.
Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds are federal money dolled out as part of the national recovery effort from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Moving forward, the district remains committed to completing the project as efficiently as possible, with the least disruption to the school community,” the district said in a recent statement. “Another update will be provided to keep you informed of the completion of the final tasks, and the district will continue to ensure that all contractual obligations are met without additional costs to taxpayers.”