Submitted by Lopez Island School District

Construction crews will be putting shovels in the ground the week after school ends to begin a 15-month renovation of the Lopez School buildings. The project will replace and refurbish building safety, electrical, heating, plumbing and septic systems as well as update the school’s technology infrastructure and refurbish classrooms, common areas, and building exteriors.

The project is primarily funded by a $9.6 million capital bond passed by voters in November of 2014. Originally planned with a 20-year payback schedule, the district was able to obtain a better than anticipated interest rate at the sale of the bonds, locking in a 15-year payback period with no increase in the annual property tax assessment. The district has also successfully secured a state construction match and won a competitive ‘Healthy Schools-Healthy Kids’ grant focused on needed upgrades to our garden and food program facilities. With these additional funds the total project budget is $11.1 million.

Over the past year, the district has been working to finalize the needs assessment, develop construction designs, secure available grant and construction match dollars, and complete the permit and bidding process.

The community, staff and students have been represented through the Project Design Advisory Team, which met to review plans and advise on priorities. The Color Advisory Group composed of community members and staff selected colors and finishes for the interior and exterior of the building. TCF Architecture, Tacoma; Hargis Engineers, Seattle; and The Robinson Company, Seattle have been leading the design and project management efforts.

The project’s general contractor is Faber Construction of Bellingham. Bids were opened May 17, and Faber was the low, responsible bidder of three firms. Faber is a family-owned business with 28 years of experience with new building and renovation projects in both the public and private sectors. Recent projects include a renovation of Parkview Elementary School in Bellingham as well as the new Ferndale Public Library.

School Board President John Helding commented, “Right now is a tough bidding environment with a number of new school and renovation projects vying for experienced general contractors and workable bid amounts. We are quite pleased to have successfully engaged a firm of Faber’s experience and reputation.”

The work will extend across two summers and a school year. In terms of key areas to be addressed, aging septic tanks and sewage lines will be the first major building system tackled. Based on investigations completed this past year, the school’s potable water main supply piping will need to be replaced as well. Every restroom on campus will be renovated. Additionally fire sprinklers will be extended and fire alarm systems upgraded. During the second summer science classrooms and labs will see significant renovation and major work will be performed on the school’s substandard kitchen along with a renovation of the multipurpose room.

During the upcoming school year sets of classrooms will be vacated for renovation work. Staff and faculty will be challenged by the need to keep the school operating as it is also being renovated. The project team is experienced in keeping students and staff safely separated from construction activities.

Superintendent Brian Auckland shared, “No doubt our teaching team will need to be just that much more resourceful and creative as we keep the school running during renovations. We greatly appreciate their work and the extra effort this involves for them and the whole staff. We will do all we can to minimize the impact. For sure a theme for next year’s educational program will be ‘Construction!’.”

The district will continue to pursue capital grant funding for additional work in order to leverage as much value as possible out of the current project. In particular, funding will be pursued for additional safety enhancements (including a dedicated bus loading zone, security lighting upgrades and a controlled access key card system) and further energy upgrades (including upgrading more of the school to energy efficient LED lighting).

The district once again wishes to thank the community for its generous support of this work. Questions about the project can be directed to Superintendent Brian Auckland or School Board President John Helding.

Construction crews will be putting shovels in the ground the week after school ends to begin a 15-month renovation of the Lopez School buildings. The project will replace and refurbish building safety, electrical, heating, plumbing and septic systems as well as update the school’s technology infrastructure and refurbish classrooms, common areas, and building exteriors.

The project is primarily funded by a $9.6 million capital bond passed by voters in November of 2014. Originally planned with a 20-year payback schedule, the district was able to obtain a better than anticipated interest rate at the sale of the bonds, locking in a 15-year payback period with no increase in the annual property tax assessment. The district has also successfully secured a state construction match and won a competitive ‘Healthy Schools-Healthy Kids’ grant focused on needed upgrades to our garden and food program facilities. With these additional funds the total project budget is $11.1 million.

Over the past year, the district has been working to finalize the needs assessment, develop construction designs, secure available grant and construction match dollars, and complete the permit and bidding process.

The community, staff and students have been represented through the Project Design Advisory Team, which met to review plans and advise on priorities. The Color Advisory Group composed of community members and staff selected colors and finishes for the interior and exterior of the building. TCF Architecture, Tacoma; Hargis Engineers, Seattle; and The Robinson Company, Seattle have been leading the design and project management efforts.

The project’s general contractor is Faber Construction of Bellingham. Bids were opened May 17, and Faber was the low, responsible bidder of three firms. Faber is a family-owned business with 28 years of experience with new building and renovation projects in both the public and private sectors. Recent projects include a renovation of Parkview Elementary School in Bellingham as well as the new Ferndale Public Library.

School Board President John Helding commented, “Right now is a tough bidding environment with a number of new school and renovation projects vying for experienced general contractors and workable bid amounts. We are quite pleased to have successfully engaged a firm of Faber’s experience and reputation.”

The work will extend across two summers and a school year. In terms of key areas to be addressed, aging septic tanks and sewage lines will be the first major building system tackled. Based on investigations completed this past year, the school’s potable water main supply piping will need to be replaced as well. Every restroom on campus will be renovated. Additionally fire sprinklers will be extended and fire alarm systems upgraded. During the second summer science classrooms and labs will see significant renovation and major work will be performed on the school’s substandard kitchen along with a renovation of the multipurpose room.

During the upcoming school year sets of classrooms will be vacated for renovation work. Staff and faculty will be challenged by the need to keep the school operating as it is also being renovated. The project team is experienced in keeping students and staff safely separated from construction activities.

Superintendent Brian Auckland shared, “No doubt our teaching team will need to be just that much more resourceful and creative as we keep the school running during renovations. We greatly appreciate their work and the extra effort this involves for them and the whole staff. We will do all we can to minimize the impact. For sure a theme for next year’s educational program will be ‘Construction!’.”

The district will continue to pursue capital grant funding for additional work in order to leverage as much value as possible out of the current project. In particular, funding will be pursued for additional safety enhancements (including a dedicated bus loading zone, security lighting upgrades and a controlled access key card system) and further energy upgrades (including upgrading more of the school to energy efficient LED lighting).

The district once again wishes to thank the community for its generous support of this work. Questions about the project can be directed to Superintendent Brian Auckland or School Board President John Helding.