Board accepts Leader Construction as construction manager for St. Joseph battery wall project
May 01, 2026 | St. Joseph, School Districts, Missouri
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The St. Joseph School District board voted 7–0 to accept Leader Construction as the construction manager agent for a battery wall project, the board confirmed during a routine meeting.
Dr. Hitchcock presented the budget overview and the AIA contract template, telling the board the contract separates a price for general conditions (time and materials) and a construction-management fee. "The percentage is 4.5% total construction," he said, and noted the district’s initial estimate of the construction amount was about $377,000, making the fee roughly $18,000.
Dr. Hitchcock said the AIA (American Institute of Architects) contract language on page 21 matches the summary and described why the contract term runs about a year past expected completion: the extra time covers punch-list work and any later corrections so the construction manager remains responsible for finishing outstanding items. "That way, Leader is still there to ensure that the contract with the district is laid and they work together to get something off," he said.
A board member asked whether 4.5% is typical. Dr. Hitchcock replied that typical CM fees range from 3% to 5% and that the lower end more commonly applies to very large projects; given the project budget is under $500,000, 4.5% falls within the expected range.
Board members also asked about legal and procurement. Dr. Hitchcock said the district’s legal team had approved the A&E template previously and administrators inserted the project-specific figures. The district used a qualifications-based selection (an RFQ) rather than an RFP; an eight-member committee reviewed qualifications and scored firms. Committee members named during the meeting included Kate, Casey Halpin, Dr. Dennis, Daniel, Dr. McMillan, Bonnie Chesney and Mike Moore.
Jennifer moved to accept the selection of the construction manager agent; Daniel seconded the motion. Don called the roll; the motion passed unanimously, 7–0. The meeting then adjourned after a unanimous procedural vote.
The record shows the board approved using the AIA contract template with a 4.5% construction-manager fee for the project and formally accepted the selected firm; no additional committee directions or follow-up dates were recorded in the meeting minutes.
Dr. Hitchcock presented the budget overview and the AIA contract template, telling the board the contract separates a price for general conditions (time and materials) and a construction-management fee. "The percentage is 4.5% total construction," he said, and noted the district’s initial estimate of the construction amount was about $377,000, making the fee roughly $18,000.
Dr. Hitchcock said the AIA (American Institute of Architects) contract language on page 21 matches the summary and described why the contract term runs about a year past expected completion: the extra time covers punch-list work and any later corrections so the construction manager remains responsible for finishing outstanding items. "That way, Leader is still there to ensure that the contract with the district is laid and they work together to get something off," he said.
A board member asked whether 4.5% is typical. Dr. Hitchcock replied that typical CM fees range from 3% to 5% and that the lower end more commonly applies to very large projects; given the project budget is under $500,000, 4.5% falls within the expected range.
Board members also asked about legal and procurement. Dr. Hitchcock said the district’s legal team had approved the A&E template previously and administrators inserted the project-specific figures. The district used a qualifications-based selection (an RFQ) rather than an RFP; an eight-member committee reviewed qualifications and scored firms. Committee members named during the meeting included Kate, Casey Halpin, Dr. Dennis, Daniel, Dr. McMillan, Bonnie Chesney and Mike Moore.
Jennifer moved to accept the selection of the construction manager agent; Daniel seconded the motion. Don called the roll; the motion passed unanimously, 7–0. The meeting then adjourned after a unanimous procedural vote.
The record shows the board approved using the AIA contract template with a 4.5% construction-manager fee for the project and formally accepted the selected firm; no additional committee directions or follow-up dates were recorded in the meeting minutes.
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