SPS board weighs costs for proposed facility projects

Last edited 1:37 p.m., Aug. 8, 2018

The Springfield Public Schools Board of Education yesterday reviewed an architectural study showing the costs of renovations or reconstruction of nearly 20 facilities in the school system.

Presented by H Design Group LLC, Hollis & Miller Architects, Dake Wells Architecture Inc. and Buxton Kubik Dodd Design Collective, the study showcases potential improvements for 18 facilities that previously were marked in a report by Florida-based MGT of America Inc. with low condition scores out of 100, according to a news release.

The architecture firms were hired to conduct the studies, said SPS spokeswoman Teresa Bledsoe.

Together, the proposed projects — with some being separate ideas for the same school property — are valued at $682.6 million, according to the study. For several of the projects, there are options to renovate or build new. Bledsoe said the board would not move forward on all of the projects, so the total ultimately would be smaller.

The largest project proposal calls on a $41.5 million new-build replacement for Jarrett Middle School. Another $12.7 million project would create a southwest region early childhood center adjacent to Carver Middle School.

The board has not yet made any decisions on the projects, according to the release.

The governing board earlier this year created the Community Task Force on Facilities to submit feedback and recommendations on SPS facilities following last year’s failed $120 million bond proposal.

The task force will use the architectural study as it reviews the state of SPS facilities. The task force is slated to present to the board this fall on its recommendations, according to the release.