Lincoln Ele. School Design Is “30-40% Over Budget"; Board Prez Calls the Design “Brilliant”

Lots of daylight lighting through abundant use of glass windows and a gym that can be used as a storm shelter are just two of the very attractive features of the Design Alliance’s design for a rebuilt Lincoln Elementary School.

The design is so beautiful and accessible that Duane Van Hemert, physical plant director, felt that he needed to confess, “We realize this project is dependent on the bond. Currently, this [project] is over budget. But we need this to be on schedule by spring. We may need additional funding.”

Board director Lori Roetlin asked, “How far over budget?”

Duane replied, “As much as 30-40% over budget. It’s a significant amount, about $2 to $3 million over budget.”

Board president Chris Lynch asked if there’s an design option [Design Alliance came up with four designs for Lincoln, all of which came in under budget or over budget] that’s within the budget.

Duane: “Yes, but we didn’t like it [the option(s) that came in under budget].”

Chris Lynch: “There’s a 4.5 to 4.7 million base. How does this project fit? Put the options side by side and weigh the pros and cons. I like the break-through [most expensive] design.”

Duane: “There’s some additional funding options: sales tax and other sources [besides the bond].”

Chris Lynch: “Do you have an option within budget?” We just saved $1 million on the bond. [How?] Here’s what you get for $6 million. There’s a lot of pros [to the more expensive design]. I’m ready to go all in.”

Lori: “I’m very concerned that this first project is this far above budget. Tate has no gym. Alexander needs to be done. Kirkwood needs work. Are these projects going to be completed if we’re over budget on Lincoln?”

Chris Lynch: “I wouldn’t eliminate any other projects either.”

Duane: “Dollars should come in from outside the bond.”

Lori: “We have limits. I have no support if other projects are underfunded or not funded.”

Board director Phil Hemingway: In my latest copy of the Facilities Master Plan, the page on the Lincoln project initially stated the cost at $4.7 million. The figure was revised later to $6.4 million. So if the cost over-run is estimated at $1 to $2 million more, could the cost be $8 million?

Duane: “That’d be on the high side. I really can’t tell you. The hard money is $4.5 million.”

Chris Lynch: “Actually, Duane, the hard money is $4.7 million.”

Duane: “We’ll find money outside the bond. We’re not going to cut other projects.”

Board director Brian Kirschling: “Not doing $.5 million land acquisition saved money. Could we import Design Alliance’s design to Board.docs?”

Someone asked how many special education classrooms that Lincoln has now. Staff answered that there is one special ed. Classroom with no ventilation except when the door is open.

“We also use a closet and a counselor’s office, which has no ventilation except when the door is open. So more special education classrooms with ventilation would be a vast improvement for us.

Unfortunately, “to save money,” the art room, even in the most expensive design, is not handicapped accessible.

That tells me that making the entire school accessible to disabled students is not a top priority for Iowa City Community School District administration, even with all the bells and whistles of the “brilliant, awesome, break-through” design pushed by Chris Lynch, board president.

Art and music were both very important to my kids when they were in school, and they weren’t disabled. These were areas in which both of my children excelled, especially our son. They were important and led to a group of friends that they might not have made otherwise. How much more true would that be for disabled children who might have fewer ways to make connections with special talents they may not have known they had and connections with friends?