SMOOTH SAIL-ing AHEAD FOR DISTRICT PROGRAM
Plans for a $1.2 million renovation of a home that will serve Newberg’s adult-age special needs students got a green-light as the school board voted unanimously to approve the expenditure.
When completed, the building will serve as home to the District’s SAIL program (Support Advocacy for Independence in Life), Larry Hampton, Newberg’s Bond Manager, told the board.
Admittedly, the price to renovate the home was eye-popping for district officials, who initially balked at the scope of the work after receiving the bids.
“The bids were higher than we wanted,” Hampton said, explaining later that, “We really wanted to ensure the long-term future of this program. The SAIL program provides so much to families in this community.”
The sizable expenditure raised questions among members of the board, specifically, “Could the District get this done at a cheaper price?”
Hampton explained that of the three bids the District received for the work, the lowest of the three was for $1.2 million. That bid was submitted by a local company which has worked with the District in the past, Five Star Construction. The second highest bid was for $1.4 million, and a third bid, by SKANSKA, “was nearly double the first bid,” Hampton explained. SKANKSA was invited to bid, as the company is currently working on a construction project at Edwards Elementary across the street.
The scope of the SAIL project is rather involved, Hampton explained to the board. The District plans to completely renovate the interior of the house, “down to the studs.”
The proposal for the new SAIL program’s home calls for commercial grade finishes to be added inside the structure. Essentially, the District is taking what was a residential building, and converting it to a space that can accommodate the general public, as well as people with special needs, Hampton said.
Among the changes will be a new HVAC systems, larger restroom facilities to better accommodate student needs, technology, conference rooms, and additional classroom space, he said.
The renovation would be “the type of a renovation you would come to expect from a district facility - with the same quality finishes and updated systems,” Hampton said. “Unfortunately, these things cost more.”
Chair Dave Brown offered his support to the renovation plans, and is a huge supporter of the SAIL program. In his time as an employee with the district, and as a longtime member of the Newberg community, “I’ve seen the impact the SAIL program is having, and it’s just great.”
The SAIL program serves students with special needs who have graduated from high school, but are still eligible for services from the District until age 21. This program focuses on teaching life skills, independent living skills and more.
“Many of these students who went through the SAIL program are in their 30s now and they are living independently today,” Brown said. “And now their parents are getting older, so being able to live independently is so important to their families. You can’t put a dollar amount on that.”
Dr. Stephen Phillips, Newberg’s Superintendent, is also supportive of the project, despite “nearly falling off my chair,” when he saw the initial bids. But after discussions with others in the District and out, he pushed to make this project happen, despite the sticker-shock they experienced. Dr. Phillips spoke of the long-term vision for the program and asked the board to consider it “an investment” more than a mere routine expenditure.
“The question came up, “Why can’t we just buy a property for $1.2 million?” and the answer is that the bond won’t allow it,” Dr. Phillips said.
In discussing the cost factors, Hampton told the board that as a public entity, “we are required to pay prevailing wage.” He estimated this factor alone contributed to an increase in costs that was equal to one-third of the total project cost.
Inflation has impacted the construction industry in several ways, Hampton reported to the Board. Aside from skyrocketing costs for materials, labor costs and management fees, the cost of building projects has increased noticeably.
“Unfortunately, it is the cost of doing business, Hampton said.
The Board voted 6-0 to approve the expenditure, giving the SAIL program a permanent place to dock in Newberg. Hampton said Five Star was prepared to begin site work immediately so that the new building could be fully operational and functional by Fall 2023.
“Voting this through tonight sends a message to our families with children with special needs that we as a community and school board are doing the best we can for them,” Brown added.