Positively Newport Schools Pitches Plan to Bring Down Cost of Pell School Design

Positively Newport Schools (PNS), a group of Newport residents who have been following the Pell Elementary School design process, say they have design options that could introduce cost savings, scalability and bring the design back to code. They presented the details of their plans on Thursday night at the .

Although the final estimates have not been made available to the public, school officials have said the existing plan is 20 percent over budget.  

After the meeting, Rep. Peter Martin said the group presented design modifications that could introduce cost saving opportunities that should “definitely” be reviewed in more detail.

Martin said the current plan’s gymnasium and cafeteria are too small according to state code. The current plan will go before the Board of Regents on Jan. 4 to request an exception for the required space allowances.

“I don’t know an architect in town who thinks this design makes sense,” said PNS member Jim Asbel. Asbel, also an architect, referred to the current plan as “undisciplined.”

Rep. Martin stressed that scalability of the school was equally as important as cost-saving opportunities, especially with the recent discussions regarding school districts mergers.  

Asbel said all three of the PNS alternatives would bring the school to code as well as allow the school to expand in the future.  

“How can we already be too small?” Asbel asked during his presentation.  

Asbel said the three options would be the group’s last calculated design effort and that he hoped the public would call for a closer review.  

PNS said one option could save $3.6 million through the use of a pre-engineered metal frame structure.  

The group said the school could also use pre-engineered metal frame structure combined with a structural insulated panel system (SIPS). That option would save an initial $2.3 million and provide energy cost savings throughout the life of the building.  

The group said if there was no appetite to change the structural system of the building, $2.4 million could be saved by simply simplifying the design. That option would rearrange areas of the layout, which would remove the bridge from the plan. The plan would also simplify the roof and remove the aluminum shades on the windows.

Asbel said that a more simple and logical design, even without structural changes, would bring the design to code, allow it to grow by 20 classrooms in the future and increase outdoor space for the children.