Design Contract To Be Negotiated For New Classrooms In S/T Schools

By Naomi Hatch
   The Snowflake School District Governing Board approved negotiating with NTD Architecture last week for the price to take the classroom addition project to the schematic design level.
   Superintendent Monte Silk had asked the board to accept a fee of $245,700 for an architectural and engineering contract with NTD Architects for the design only phase of 23 proposed classrooms in the district. This also includes plans for site improvements, renovation of the administrative area and repair of existing domestic water system at Highland Primary. A $4.5 million figure for renovation is based on a cost of $200 per square foot for 21 classrooms at 1,000 square feet per classroom and $300,000 for the remodel of the auto shop at Snowflake High School into two IT/broadcasting classrooms. The project went to bid, but no bids were submitted by local companies.
   Silk reiterated that Taylor Elementary School and Taylor Intermediate School need a total of seven new classrooms, while Highland Primary School and Snowflake Intermediate need a total of 11 new class-rooms. At Highland Primary, a new administrative area would be built, the existing administrative area would be used as classrooms, and they would design a new area for bus and student drop off and pick up areas. There is also a need for the two classrooms at Snowflake Junior High School.
   Silk met with Facilities Management Director Gary Sims, PinnacleOne representative Tim Brand and Scott Beck, the principal architect with NTD. Brand said that they usually negotiate the whole process, but had negotiated that morning to take up to just short of the bidding process. This would make the plans available for the bond.
   Board member Reed Flake brought up a concern expressed at the previous meeting by board member Cameron Peterson regarding paying for design of the project before getting approval to bond.
   There was lengthy discussion on spending $245,000 before the bond passed and whether this would be wasted money.
   Board President Travis Tenney said that because he is in the trade, he understands that they need plans before going out to bid, but expressed concern that if they spend $245,000 and then the bond fails, “We don’t look too good, because we spent a quarter of a million dollars for something we can’t build.”
   Silk and Brand pointed out that if the architectural and engineering design were delayed, it would delay the project a year.
   Business Manager Mark Ollerton advised them that the district has $500,000 in unrestricted capital for construction of classrooms that would be used for the design. When asked his opinion, he replied, “You’ll have the blueprints.”
   Snowflake High School Principal Larry Titus asked, “If the bond doesn’t pass, are we going to still need classrooms? We’d have the plans.” He also encouraged the board to have a professional draw the plans, explaining that if plans were not drawn by someone who has a good knowledge of what he is doing. it could be a problem.
   “Then that would be our responsibility,” said Peterson.
   Board member Danelle Prestwich asked, “Who’s going to check it?”
   Peterson responded, “We have a bunch of people.”
   Silk pointed out that district staff members do not have the expertise to oversee architectural and engineering, and commented that no matter who you hire, they would take a percentage fee.
   “I never did say the district should draw up the plans,” said Peterson. “I’m just saying I can’t in good conscience support spending $200,000 on a gamble, and I think there’s a lot more responsible ways to do this.”
   Peterson then suggested they use the $500,000 in unrestricted capital to build two new classrooms.
   Board Vice President Shea Flake pointed out that they had planned to use that money to outfit the class-rooms, because bond money could not be used for equipment and supplies.
   SJHS Assistant Principal Shon Flake asked if they go for another bid after the bond passes, what the chances would be that it would come in at only $245,000.
   Titus said he felt they were in a situation that needed very detailed plans. “Obviously, we need to have proper licensing, that was put out in the publication for bid and none of our locals accepted it,” said the principal. He said he felt that if they ended up saving money on the architectural services, it would eventually cost more if the architect hadn’t caught items and there were change orders.
   Taylor Town Manager Eric Duthie said he felt Peterson had a valid concern, but said he hadn’t heard the “L” word, liability, and reminded everyone that an architect puts his stamp on plans. He was concerned that volunteers would not be willing to stand up on the liability end and felt there would be “tons of change orders,” which would increase the cost.
   Silk suggested that the board shouldn’t worry about the administrative process and the fact they would start over if this were delayed. “I can guarantee you I will do my best,” he said, referring to selling the bond to the public.
   In the end, Brand said that he would negotiate with the architectural firm that they only prepare the schematic design until such time the bond is passed, then they would continue with the design development and preparing construction documents, taking the project to bid.
   Tenney moved to negotiate with NTD Architects for the price to take the project to the schematic design level, and the measure passed in a 4-1 vote. Prestwich voted against it, noting that she felt they should move forward in approving the contract to include design development and preparing construction documents.