Measure R & S construction

By Larry Vanden Bos

An excerpt from Larry Vanden Bos's letter to the editor of the Palos Verdes Peninsula News published October 11, 2007 regarding use of Measures R&S construction monies for our school sites.

Our September 2007 report summarized the program cost increase at less than $6 million and it identified $11 million in additional revenue sources. These figures compare the cost of completed and in process projects to 2005 estimates made when the District finalized its Facilities Master Plan.

Obviously, construction costs have increased since 2005 and the Committee noted this in our June 2007 annual report in which we recommended that the District "continue to acknowledge and disclose to the community" these construction cost increases.

Less obvious is the fact that the 2005 cost estimates were used to create the original program budget. As each project is designed, costs will change from estimates as the project is scoped to meet specific site needs. Changes required by outside agencies can affect costs. It makes little sense to pay millions of dollars for architects, site investigations and testing prior to project design.

The Peninsula High classroom project is illustrative.

The District estimated a cost of $8.9 million for 20 standard classrooms. Once the State eliminated "piggy back" purchasing about $1 million was added to this cost. During scoping the project was reduced to 17 classrooms and specialized rooms for ceramics, photography and science classes were added. These classrooms increased costs but met site needs. The State also required the District to move, rather than demolish, existing portables to qualify for matching funds.

The project budget at scope confirmation increased to $11 million and was unanimously approved by the Board on December 8, 2006. The project is almost complete and about $190,000 under budget. District staff has identified $1 million in additional funds to offset some of this increase.

The District fully disclosed these figures to the Committee and the Board and the Board unanimously approved it.

The construction program is dynamic and priorities must continue to be evaluated. The Oversight Committee will continue to vigorously monitor the program and I am confident that it will continue to be well managed.