by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Staples Building Committee representatives made their plea for an additional $2 million in order to complete the Staples High School expansion and renovation Monday night.
Committee representatives explained the additional funding—the second request for more money for the project—is needed because there were major problems uncovered once construction crews began renovating the existing building.
The school board took no vote at its meeting, but is scheduled to do so at its next session Dec. 12.
The project’s plan includes the construction of a new academic wing—which will be completed for use in February—and the renovation and expansion of some current areas of the building, including the cafeteria, auditorium and media center.
Jay Keenan, building committee representative, said there were a lot of things discovered inside the walls that were not on the drawings.
“We’ve had 500 change orders because of unexpected conditions,” he said. “The last thing we wanted to do was come back for more money. We over-estimated the quality of what was inside the existing building.”
It is the second time the building committee has asked for additional money for the project. A year ago, town boards approved $2.5 million additional for the project.
The Board of Finance and Representative Town Meeting initially approved $73 million—which was $5 million less than what the building committee initially requested.
Donald O’Day, school board member, pointed out the second appropriation would bring the building committee close to what it initially requested if approved.
Keenan said despite the additional funding, the project would be the same price per square foot as the new Bedford Middle School, which was completed in 2001.
If the request is not approved by the school board—and later the Board of Finance and RTM—the committee would stop spending on equipment to outfit the building and consider not knocking down the 6 Building, Keenan said.
In order to not demolish the 6 Building, he said, the committee would need to go back to the Planning and Zoning Commission.
Board Chairwoman Mary Parmelee said the building committee has uncovered the legacy of the original construction where corners were cut in order to save money.
Staples was originally built as separate buildings like a California campus, she said, in order to save money, and when they were connected it was done so cheaply.
