The Schuylerville Central School District is moving forward with a re-bid of the $24.7 million capital project, after construction bids came back over voter approved allocation.

“Opening the bids was disappointing,” said Business Manager Marian Chrisman. “We believe a delayed state approval process, along with rising costs of labor, materials, and a schematic design of the middle school that escalated beyond its original intent contributed to the higher offers.”

After voters approved the project in December 2016, the district submitted design plans to the state in September 2017. It did not receive state approval until July 2018.

On Monday, Nov. 19 the Board of Education voted to reject the bids, re-evaluate the project and go out to bid again in January 2019.

“We plan to trim some scope and costs, but retain the essence of the original project,” Sherman said. “To save money, some of the original renovations and work can be done locally over the summer by our facilities staff.”

The essence of the original project includes fixing infrastructure issues, increasing school safety and security, and modernizing facilities to help educators better prepare students for their futures – including 21st-century careers. The district plans to adhere to its goal of separating the elementary school from the middle school and creating new middle school learning spaces for technology, science, music and library. Meanwhile, the renovation of the former high school girls locker room, located on the third floor of the high school, has been cut from the project. This space will continue to be used as storage.

The district will go to bid in January 2019 with an anticipating ground breaking in summer 2019.