Norwood school project 92% committed; committee hears construction and transition update
Get AI-powered insights, summaries, and transcripts
Subscribe
Summary
Project staff reported the Norwood school project is about 92% committed and 69% spent through January; MSBA reimbursements through Request 37 have been received and Requests 38–39 submitted. Committee discussed site progress, FF&E, technology, moving plans and transition activities ahead of a June substantial completion date.
Project staff updated the Bridal School Building Committee on Feb. 10 that the Norwood school construction project is progressing and that budget and transition work are on track.
Project accounting presented at the meeting shows $136.3 million committed of a $147.9 million budget (about 92% committed) and approximately $102 million spent to date (about 69% spent). The committee was told there remained roughly $11.5 million in uncommitted funds in the project budget. The Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) reimbursements were reported through Request 37; staff said Requests 38 and 39 (for November and December) had been submitted to MSBA.
Construction activity described at the meeting includes delivery and installation of the Norwood-blue fiber cement facade panels near the media center, framing and roofing work around the concession stand, gym subflooring and wood flooring acclimating prior to installation, auditorium ceiling and wall finishes, and kitchen equipment being staged for the third-floor student commons. The distributed antenna system (DAS) for emergency responder radio coverage is installed, and power was live to lighting and outlets on the third and fourth floors.
Staff said some near-term items have slipped slightly (for example, wireless access-point installation moved from February into March) but that the overall substantial completion target remains June 6, 2025. Transition planning for moving and salvage is under way: Wakefield Moving has been hired and crates have been delivered; teachers have started packing and an inventory will be completed over February vacation to prepare for transition.
Why it matters: The reported budget and schedule statistics indicate the project is advancing into the transition phase; remaining uncommitted funds and pending MSBA reimbursement claims will guide final purchasing, FF&E decisions and any potential community requests for leftover funds.
Staff noted the FF&E and technology budgets are tracking under budget; a running wish list of items will be prioritized for committee approval if funds remain. The committee discussed scheduling future site visits, with members indicating a preference for an April or May on-site meeting and potential tours for students and staff in August.
The meeting also included updates on outstanding potential change orders and the project change-order log, which, after Change Order 17 was approved, kept pending/estimated change orders at roughly 1.5% of the project budget.