HOWARD — The estimated cost for East Knox’s elementary addition project has increased due to increased material and labor costs across the country.
As a result, the board will have to prioritize which parts of the project must remain, and what parts the district will have to indefinitely postpone.
The initial plan had been to build eight classrooms and a gym, for an estimated cost at the end of 2021 of $5.4 million. Now, the estimate for that same project is $7.5 million, East Knox Supt. Steve Larcomb said during the school board meeting March 17.
“What’s the priority? Do we need the classrooms worse or the gym worse, and I guess that’s for you folks to tell us,” Larcomb said to the board.
The board did not vote on cost changes during the March meeting but is expected to next month.
If it decides to forgo the gym addition, the cost is expected to go down to about $5.2 million for construction costs, not yet factoring in for soft costs, such as legal fees and architect services, Larcomb said.
Scot Matthews, senior project manager for the project construction company Elford Construction, said Thursday the increased costs are not from Elford’s fees but due to external economic factors.
“It’s material, it’s labor,” Matthews said.
This is shown in square footage, as the square footage cost this past summer for the junior/senior high school construction project had been $265 per square foot. Now, the estimate comes out to $468 per square foot.
“I guess for me it’s just disappointing,” board president Derrick Steinmetz said about increased costs.
While the board will likely have to nix some of the project plans, the district will be able to fund the project by pulling from various funds, treasurer Jessica Busenburg said.
The district already had plans to put $2.6 million Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds to the elementary addition, which it must use by 2024, and a tax anticipation note of $2.8 million. Excess permanent improvement funds can also be put toward the project if needed, Busenburg said.
Because the junior/senior high school construction remains ahead of schedule and under budget, Elford will be crediting back about $400,000, which can be redirected to the elementary addition, Busenburg said.
Regarding actionable items about the elementary addition, the board approved the purchase of builder’s risk coverage from Hylant Administrative Services for the elementary addition project for $2,794.
The board also approved additional property coverage from HAS for adding the new junior/senior high school building to insurance coverage. The prorated cost, from February 28, 2022, to June 30, 2022, for adding the high school is $2,197.
Also regarding the junior/senior high school, the board approved a 12-month service agreement with Southeast Security for fire alarm monitoring and annual inspection of the building for $239.95 per month, plus a one-time set-up fee of $2,520. The board approved change orders from Elford, specifically for entrance canopy revisions and post vocational agricultural demo finishes for $59,672.47 and $68,629, respectively.
Beyond construction projects, the district is purchasing a mower, specifically a Wright BIG Z 72” 40 HP VanguardOGS mower, from Hostetler Engine Repair for $13,600, which will be paid for out of the permanent improvement fund. The board authorized this purchase as well as the trade-in of a 997 John Deere Mower to Hostetler Engine Repair at a sale price of $6,100.
In other business, the board approved several updated policies, ranging from food services to dress and grooming, mainly with tweaks in language.
The policies are adopted from Neola, a service for developing and updating board bylaws and policies, administrative guidelines and procedures, handbooks, etc. to ensure consistency and compliance with new legal mandates.
East Knox FFA will be going on an overnight field trip to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, to compete in the National Land Contest representing Ohio from May 2-6.
Several personnel items were also on Thursday’s agenda. The board approved five substitute teachers and four spring supplemental contracts for coaches. Non-teaching contract renewals for the 2022-2023 school year were also approved, ranging from food service, bus drivers, a registered nurse, Education Management Information System coordinator, among other mainly classified staff positions.
During public participation, residents voiced accusations of bullying and urged the board to set up additional meetings to hear parental concerns aside from the public participation portion of board meetings.
Board member Matt Schwartz was absent Thursday.
