Consultants put Middlesex Middle School project near $95 million; committee urged earlier board action to meet grant deadlines

Consultants told the Facilities Committee that an independent cost estimate from O&G places a full Middlesex Middle School project (priority 1 and 2) at about $95,000,000, or roughly $425 per square foot for this large building. Eric Kire compared that to recent 70,000‑square‑foot elementary projects (Henley and Royal) that bid near $34,000,000, noting those earlier projects equated to about $485 per square foot in 2024 dollars and would be higher if bid today.

Committee members asked how differences arose between April numbers and the O&G estimate; consultants explained O&G produced a separate industry-based estimate and that the $95M figure includes hard and soft costs, professional fees, testing, contingencies and escalation anticipating construction timing through 2030. Members were urged to approve a project and assemble a building committee this fall so design and cost refinement can proceed in winter and spring ahead of the June 2027 grant cycle. No formal vote was taken at the committee meeting.