Aug 30th 2024 | Posted in Mary Scott Nabers' Insights, Opportunities by Mary Scott Nabers

School district construction throughout the U.S. is rampant currently, and it promises to be the same in 2025. That’s probably because a report from the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted that 54% of all schools in America were in dire need of updates or complete building replacements as long ago as 2020. In fact, the report outlined an estimated $1.1 trillion that would likely be needed to modernize and replace outdated school facilities.

Most funding for public school upgrades comes from state and local budgets, and the available funding is much more abundant in some regions. School districts usually issue voter-approved bonds to pay for large-scale projects such as new buildings, equipment upgrades and sports facilities.

The Avondale School District in Michigan will soon embark on a comprehensive $150 million infrastructure and facilities modernization project. The planned upgrades will focus heavily on enhancing safety and security across all district campuses. New emergency alert systems, fire alarms, and PA equipment will be added, along with significant improvements to access control systems and security cameras.

One key component of this initiative will be the construction of a new $32.9 million Early Childhood Center. It will feature 20 state-of-the-art classrooms designed to provide a nurturing and advanced learning environment for approximately 300 children. Additional districtwide enhancements will include modernizing instructional spaces, replacing playgrounds, and upgrading both high school and middle school art facilities. Athletic facilities will be modernized, including replacing high school running tracks, updating tennis courts and enhancing lighting systems. Construction will begin in 2025.

Fayette County Public School officials plan to construct a new Henry Clay High School facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The new building will replace an outdated and pest-infested one that relies on portable classrooms for students. The $151.6 million project will deliver a three-story facility capable of accommodating 2,300 students. It will have secure outdoor learning areas and possibly an amphitheater.

The new high school will be built on the current high school campus. The project will locate the baseball and softball fields together so that all athletic facilities are centralized. About 70 more parking spaces will be added. The old high school will remain in operation until the new high school opens, after which the old building will be demolished. A construction launch is planned for 2025.

Officials at Cranston Public School District in Rhode Island will oversee renovation and construction projects with an overall budget of approximately $40 million. The projects will include a $13.9 million land purchase and the Cranston Apprenticeship Exploration School renovation. Other projects will include a $15.5 million improvement project at Eden Park Elementary School, a $6.6 million project for a new Gladstone Elementary School, and a $1.7 million parking area. All efforts will include modernizing classrooms, enhancing safety and security and expanding capacity. The investment is planned to accommodate future growth. Construction will begin in 2025, following final design approvals.

A school district project in Frederick County, Maryland will be designed to consolidate the Middletown elementary and middle schools into one larger facility for $114.4 million. The school building will be designed to separate students by grade level. It will have two academic wings, each with a bus entrance, bus loop and car entrance. There will be separate playing fields for the elementary and middle school students and shared community open space. In early 2025, construction documents will be dropped, and a construction launch will begin in 2025.

Citizens in Saco, Maine voted to approve a significant investment in educational infrastructure through a $140.7 million bond package. The funding will allow the construction of two new schools. This initiative will include the development of a new elementary school and a separate early childhood education facility for pre-kindergarten and kindergarten students. The Saco City Council also recently approved the project as part of a larger effort to address overcrowding and modernize the city’s educational facilities. The new buildings will accommodate projected growth and provide state-of-the-art learning environments. The effort will include enhanced security and improved traffic access. Construction is planned for 2025.

Citizens recently voted to approve a $50 million education allocation for a new elementary school building and a new high school in Alamogordo, New Mexico. The project will include design work to accommodate an increased student population. The new elementary school will accommodate students in kindergarten through the 5th grade. The building will have advanced learning technologies and expansive outdoor spaces for recreational activities. The high school will feature updated science labs, a new athletic complex, and expanded arts facilities. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

These types of construction projects will include professional services, engineering, technology, security equipment, land work, new furniture, and dozens of other types of services. Contracting opportunities will be abundant throughout 2024 and 2025.

As President and CEO of Strategic Partnerships, Inc., Mary Scott Nabers has decades of experience working in the public-private sector. A well-recognized expert in the P3 and government contracting fields, she is often asked to share her industry insights with top publications and through professional speaking engagements.