Rogers High School project asks Newport for $2.2 million guarantee as overall cost estimates rise

The Newport School Building Committee told the City Council it needs a city guarantee of about $2.1–$2.2 million by July 1 to allow contractors to award outstanding bid packages and obtain a temporary certificate of occupancy so students can occupy the new Rogers High School on schedule.

Rebecca Bolan and school representatives said the requested $2.2 million is primarily for short‑term cash flow; they said further funding needs remain under review and that value‑engineering and pending federal grants could reduce the ultimate gap. A Gilbane representative said a TCO depends on completing items such as temporary utility tie‑ins, drainage and stormwater management; those temporary solutions are part of the $2.2 million ask.

Councilors pressed the project team for more detail on the all‑in cost. Project representatives said the construction GMP stands at about $115 million for the core work but that additional allowances, FF&E and other items push all‑in project estimates into the $1.22–$1.30 range and could approach higher figures depending on soil remediation needs. Consultants said the district’s reimbursement rate from the Rhode Island Department of Education is roughly 52–55% and that an additional incentive/bonus component (about 17% in earlier cycles) may be at risk for projects that miss state deadlines.

Several councilors said they support the short-term guarantee to keep the project moving but demanded more transparency and a clear timeline for how the larger outstanding gap (cited during the meeting as $6.4 million or higher) will be closed. Finance director Jim Nolan warned that using fund balance to cover operating or capital gaps risks downgrading the city’s credit rating, which would raise borrowing costs on upcoming bonds.

The meeting also aired disputes over an on-site soil pile that some councilors described as contaminated. Project staff said the pile came from prior dumping, that the property had always been city-owned and that the team plans to follow Department of Environmental Management remediation requirements while attempting to reuse remediated soils where possible.

The council formally received the communication from the school building committee and did not vote to provide the $2.2 million commitment that night. Members asked the school team to return with a schedule showing when bridge funding will be required and to identify likely funding sources so the council can make a prompt, informed decision.