VENTNOR – The Board of Education Wednesday, Nov. 14 updated the public on the status of several construction projects undertaken at the Ventnor Educational Community Complex last summer and awarded architectural and engineering service contracts for construction projects to be undertaken next summer.
The board approved doubling the amount it will spend for architectural and engineering services to accommodate seven construction projects planned for summer 2019. The board increased its self-imposed limit to $600,000 from the $300,000 amount previously approved in March.
The board awarded Remington, Vernick and Walberg engineers seven contracts totaling $464,900 for project design, securing outside agency approvals, bid coordination and construction administration for projects, including replacing HVAC units, auditorium and restroom renovations, and roof repairs in addition to solving water infiltration coming through walls and skylights in certain areas.
“How do we know the fees that the engineers are charging are reasonable,” board member Michael Hagelgans asked.
School Business Administrator Terri Nowotny explained that the district’s professional services contract for architectural and engineering services is awarded every three years through a request for proposal process and is based on an hourly rate. RVW is now serving its fourth year as the district’s engineering firm.
“The past couple of projects went over the hours needed and they did not charge above the not-to-exceed amount,” Nowotny said. “Some have been right on the mark, some have gone over that they haven’t billed us extra hours for, and there are some where we cancelled out balances of $100,000 or so.”
Auditorium renovations include extending the stage, building an orchestra pit, upgrading acoustics, light and sound installations, LED lighting and installing two 70-inch TV screens. Phase Three of the district’s HVAC replacement project includes replacing four rooftop units, four split units and 36 exhaust fans located throughout the school. The district will also upgrade 10 of the school’s 36 restrooms. The work includes new fixtures, electrical and plumbing. It will also upgrade its fire protection system with new sprinklers and install roof panels at several locations including canopy areas.
In one of the contracts, RVW will receive $85,000 to provide a full-time construction manager to oversee the projects during the summer months.
RVW will also prepare bid specifications and documentation. The projects, including engineering fees, will be funded through a $9.3 million bond approved earlier this year.
Nowotny said it was necessary to increase the fee limit to accommodate completing projects early in the bonding period instead of over five years.
Nowotny also updated the board on the status of funding for capital projects that were completed over the summer. Nowotny said the report was also provided to the Board of Commissioners.
She explained that last year, the district proposed $2,070,726 in capital projects before the Board of School Estimates reduced the budget by $1.3 million and agreed to fund the district’s five-year capital plan by issuing the $9.3 million bond.
Nowotny said the district also withdrew $266,054 from its capital reserve account to pay for projects that were already in the works before the bond was approved.
“We are not looking to recoup any of the funds for the projects under our budget,” Nowotny’s report states. “Only projects approved after the bond was available are eligible for bond reimbursement.”
In other business, board member and Police Chief Douglas Biagi said the district would work with community groups and the Recreation Department to provide space in the school for summertime programs while the construction projects are being completed.
There may be areas where construction is not taking place that can be utilized for recreation, or the district could consider erecting a tent on the recreation field for recreation programs or using porta-potties.
“We will make something work,” he said.
