Bedford City Schools board approves guaranteed maximum price, advances new high‑school construction

The Bedford City Schools Board of Education voted to authorize a guaranteed maximum price (GMP) for construction of the district’s new high school after a presentation on project status and bidding results.

Russell, who opened the presentation, outlined the schedule and site plan. He said the district is in full swing on the middle school and K2 buildings, which are about 55–58% complete and are scheduled to open in summer 2027. The board heard that the new high school’s initial packages are through bidding and the building is anticipated to open in fall 2028; late site work, including demolition of the existing high school and new parking, is expected to continue into spring 2029.

Chris Montgomery, who led the GMP and procurement update, said the district received strong subcontractor interest after issuing GMP drawings and that the project’s bid results compared favorably to the prior design‑development estimate. "We came in under within what our last DD estimate was," he said, calling that an encouraging sign given recent market volatility.

Montgomery told the board the district held off on two packages — remaining building demolition and asphalt paving — because fuel‑driven asphalt pricing could not reasonably be held long enough for contractors to guarantee pricing; those packages will be bid later, after the high school opens. He also said furniture will be bid closer to final drawings and final GMPs.

A board member asked staff to try to reserve or preserve the high‑school bell and tower features during demolition; staff agreed to follow up and investigate whether the bell still exists. Board members also discussed staging a community ribbon cutting and guided tours once construction reaches that phase, with a likely public walkthrough about a year from now.

The board then considered a resolution (Exhibit FISP‑1) authorizing the GMP. Motion to approve was made by Calendarer and seconded by Gordon; the motion passed on a roll call vote, 4–0.

Next steps noted by staff included forthcoming demolition bid packages and a possible demolition GMP coming to the board in approximately six months. The board asked staff to continue posting construction updates and coordinate communications with the district and community.