Lucy Arecco

The committee discussed the construction schedule and the status of the building permit for the Old Greenwich School project. Following an executive session to review contracts, the committee approved the Guaranteed Maximum Price amendment for Downes Construction Company, along with various contract adjustments for project consultants and construction firms. Additionally, the committee reviewed and approved several service proposals and discussed public relations strategies, including the development of a communication plan for local stakeholders prior to the commencement of construction.

The committee meeting agenda focused on project team updates regarding the public tree hearing, fire pump status, state reimbursement, and the overall construction schedule. Financial and consultant selection items included reviews of cash flow, specific decisions on playground fabrication releases, and the consideration of contract adjustments for structural engineering services, hazardous material monitoring, and geotechnical construction oversight. Furthermore, the committee reviewed public relations and communication strategies to be implemented prior to the commencement of construction.

The agenda focuses on the formation of a working group for the project's grand opening and updates from the Building and Fire Departments regarding fire suppression, kitchen systems, and necessary facility modifications. Discussion items include FF&E and technology procurement, art room kiln status, and the review and approval of various professional service invoices. Significant attention is dedicated to project change orders, including site-specific signage, utility modifications, and floor adjustments, alongside a comprehensive review of budget risks, construction schedule status, and state school construction grant reimbursement efforts.

The committee discussed proposed tuition increases for GPS Pre-K and K-12 programs, evaluating enrollment data, costs, and revenues alongside tuition rates from comparable programs. A potential 3.1% increase was considered for all programs, though alternative proposals included a 10% annual increase for the Pre-K program to align with neighboring districts. Members debated the financial impact on families and the importance of serving a diverse population. The committee agreed to further evaluate tuition discounts for town and school employees and to explore a sliding scale tuition model for Pre-K based on family income.

The committee reviewed several critical project items, including approval of NOC-016-R0 for premium time expenditures to support schedule recovery, NOC-017-R0 for the site utility fire suppression redesign, and COR-019 R0 for design-assist services and fire pump skid procurement. The committee also authorized the payment of various professional invoices for project-related services. Additional discussions covered the overall status of the Guaranteed Maximum Price (GMP) budget, ongoing regulatory updates concerning site permits and fire marshal coordination, security hardware pricing, and move management planning for school equipment.