The Lincoln Elementary project received contract consideration from District 117 board members last night, even though the estimated price is now a million-dollars more than originally projected.
Superintendent Steve Ptacek says District 117 is working with CTS and ironing out the pricing issues for the Lincoln project.
Ptacek says the current price tag for the Lincoln Elementary renovation is around $6.8 million, up from the projected $4.7 million to $5.4 million estimate CTS released during the winter of 2015.
“There was a couple shocks of add on costs that were included. The original range of predicted pricing from $4.7 million to $5.4 million… I want to see where that difference exactly is. When we sat down and talked about the final pricing, we went to the default of $5.4 million. I need to see exactly what we are getting for that money.”
Ptacek broke down the extra expenses, which included $118,000 for updated LED lights throughout the building, $61,000 for double-sided window upgrades that weren’t accounted for and a $63,000 safety cost for exterior doors to be put in every classroom.
Additional charges include $141,000 worth of updates to the school’s ceiling, a $158,000 plumbing bill for a new sanitation system and an asbestos abatement worth $485,000.
Ptacek says the extra $185,000 charge for the main entrance canopy upgrade is a price he plans to see lowered.
If District 117 elects to remove the outside drive addition, which is not included in the original scope of work, the new Lincoln Elementary Project estimate would come to $6.2 million.
Ptacek says every move the district makes is important for the future of District 117.
“When you have multiple schools and very limited opportunities to sell bonds and raise money, you have to make sure you are getting the most bang for your buck.”
Ptacek ensured the board and community that the district is “maximizing the impact of the sales tax dollars from the building and construction fund.”
Ptacek plans to continue contract discussions with CTS representatives on Monday.
A deal must be reached by March 2nd for CTS to order items in time to complete the project by next school year.
Board members also discussed creating multiple Dean of Students positions for the upcoming school year. We will have more on that coming up this afternoon.