BY KARISSA MILLER
The Iredell-Statesville Schools Board of Education selected a construction manager at risk for a new elementary school planned for the southern end of the county during Monday’s board meeting.
The board voted 5-1, with board members Anita Kurn, Ronda Hoke, and Kevin Angell, chairman Doug Knight and vice chair Abby Trent in favor.
Board member Mike Kubiniec cast the dissenting vote, stating that there was a “lack of transparency about the process.” Board member Brian Sloan did not attend the meeting.
I-SS Chief Operating Officer Mark Shinkaruk told the board that nine construction companies applied and five were selected for interviews.
Each company met with the selection committee for a presentation and then the committee evaluated and scored each proposal using a rubric. The selection committee included district staff, two Board of Education members and one community member.
While the other companies were qualified, the selection committee recommended JM Cope Construction, which has an office in Hickory, as the preferred choice.
I-SS will use Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) as the project delivery method, which involves hiring a construction manager early in the design phase to oversee the project. The CMAR is financially responsible for any costs that exceed the Guaranteed Maximum Price.
Hoke and Kurn served on the selection committee.
“I feel really good about this. They are probably the closest company to us as far as the geographic area,” Hoke said.
“They really showed that they care and that they want to do a good job for the Parkertown elementary,” Kurn added.
In November 2024, the board selected ADW Architects as the district’s architecture firm.
The new school, planned for a site off Parkertown Road in Mooresville, will be designed to accommodate around 1,000 students. Construction is expected to take 16 months once ground is broken.
The district is targeting an opening date of August 2027.
Iredell County Board of Commissioners plan to pay cash for construction of the new elementary school rather than borrowing the money. Commissioners have already set aside $20 million in a reserve fund for the school.
Last week commissioners approved an additional $10 million for the reserve fund at their winter planning retreat. Board Chairman Bert Connolly said that the board anticipates adding another $10 million to that fund in July.