Auburn Washburn board approves $2.23 million guaranteed maximum price for Auburn Elementary; appoints Casey Johnson

At its meeting, the Auburn Washburn Board of Education approved a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) of $2,232,991 for Auburn Elementary’s bond-funded construction and adopted several curriculum and calendar items. The board also voted to appoint Casey Johnson to fill a vacant seat.

The Facilities presenter (S4) summarized the bidding and local participation for the Auburn Elementary project, saying, “With the pricing that we have in front of you and the low bidders, we're sitting a little over $700,000 so a little over 70% going to local bidders.” S4 told the board the base bid totaled just over $2.2 million and that six alternates had been discussed by the Facilities Committee; the presenter said a portion of the work would begin over spring break, with the bulk of construction occurring over the summer and wrapping up at the end of the season. The board approved the GMP motion, which S5 moved and which passed 5 to 0.

Why it matters: The approved GMP and the committee’s alternates set the contract ceiling for the Auburn Elementary rebuild/renovation, lock in a construction budget for bond-financed work, and signal a substantial share of subcontractor dollars going to local firms.

Votes at a glance
- Guaranteed maximum price for Auburn Elementary (bond construction): motion by S5 to approve $2,232,991 including alternates discussed by the Facilities Committee; passed 5–0.
- Appointment of Casey Johnson: motion by S2 to approve appointment effective immediately; passed 5–0. The presenter said Johnson had been sworn in at the Shawnee County election office and that board leadership asked him to begin early; the official incoming date remains the second Monday in January.
- 2026–27 school calendar: motion by S2 to approve as presented; passed 5–0.
- K–12 mathematics mastery standards (10 standards): motion to adopt as district curriculum; passed 5–0.
- High school computer science course proposals: motion to approve as presented; passed 5–0.
- Applied Math 6 course (final reading): motion to approve; passed 5–0.

Executive session and adjournment: The chair moved into executive session at 6:39 p.m. to discuss a matter related to a student, non-elected personnel and budget/negotiations for 15 minutes; the board reconvened and then adjourned. The executive session was announced under the statutory exceptions referenced by the chair; no executive-session outcomes were reported on the record during open session.

What’s next: With the GMP approved, the district intends to begin some work over spring break and to complete the project during the summer construction window. Other items approved at the meeting — the calendar and curriculum changes — will be implemented according to district timelines.