At its March 7 meeting, the RISD board of trustees unanimously voted to approve a maximum budget of nearly $10 million each for renovation and construction projects at three elementary schools, including Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet, Northrich Elementary and Stults Road Elementary.
“We’re no longer adding capacity, obviously, to any of our schools,” said Sandra Hayes, assistant superintendent of district operations, referring to population declines in the district that have contributed to officials considering whether to consolidate multiple elementary campuses. “It’s really about updating finishes, and these three had not had updates or refreshes in many years.”
What’s happening?
Each of the projects are expected to start in May and finish in August 2025 with work done in phases that allow students to remain in the building. Projects and the guaranteed maximum price, or GMP, the district will pay for each include:
Hamilton Park
- GMP: $9.98 million
- Scope of work: constructing a connector between the auditorium and main building; classroom and playground equipment upgrades; adding a digital marquee; renovating vestibule and cafeteria; and new interior painting, lighting and flooring
- GMP: $9.93 million
- Scope of work: addition of accessible sidewalk and trellis at front entry; updated reception, secure vestibule and restrooms; adding a digital marquee; and upgrades to furniture, floors, ceilings, walls and HVAC system
- GMP: $9.99 million
- Scope of work: addition of a canopy to provide covering for students during drop-off and pickup; updated reception, secure vestibule and restrooms; adding a digital marquee; and upgrades to furniture, floors, ceilings, walls and HVAC system
Quote of note
Approval of the projects’ maximum price comes amid the board’s considerations to consolidate multiple underpopulated, aging campuses to address continuing budgetary deficit issues. A decision on whether to move forward with that plan is expected by the end of March.
At the March 7 meeting, Superintendent Tabitha Branum noted that voter-approved bond funds must go toward projects identified at the time of approval.
“Bond dollars are different than our general operating fund, ... they must be used on things that can be capitalized over time like construction,” Branum said. “Part of when you put a bond out for the community’s consideration is you state the use of those funds and those projects ... and the voters approve that bond as presented, so we cannot shift those [dollars] to address other operational expenses.”
