Trustees discuss capital-project procurement, construction-manager role and timing

The board discussed procurement strategy for a recently approved capital project and clarified the district’s immediate actions: the board approved the project in principle at a prior meeting and is now appointing professional teams (architect, construction manager, finance advisor) to advise planning and later procurement.

Trustees and staff explained that a construction manager functions as a project manager/owner’s representative (oversight, coordination and value assessment) rather than performing physical construction. Board members debated which project components are better suited to the construction-manager approach versus competitive public bidding; examples discussed included HVAC work (where staff favored a construction-manager approach for this project) versus roofing (where standard bidding may be preferable).

Staff stressed that no contractual awards will be finalized until SED (State Education Department) approves the overall project and that the district will continue interviews and price comparisons before awarding professional services. Trustees asked for additional briefings that would show tradeoffs, potential savings and roles of campus operations staff who will maintain completed work.

Board members asked staff to return with more detail and invited professional partners to present comparisons at an upcoming meeting as the project moves through design and state approval stages.