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SPENCER – In addition to hearing updates about the $116 million high school renovation and expansion project, the David Prouty School Building Committee on October 17 restored items and held off a decision about the fate of the salvaged basketball center court logo.
Nick Pimentel , representing Colliers Project Leaders, noted the project is just over the halfway point of construction with Fontaine Brothers Inc. anticipating first phase completion by August 2025, “so that the new school year and teacher move in go seamlessly.”
“Now in motion,” he said, is the procurement of FF & E (Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment)—with a committee vote expected next month to ensure delivery before the new school year.
With descriptions from Ed Kopec, representing Fontaine Brothers, committee members looked at a series of photos of recent work including the football field score boards and uprights, granite curbing and fencing installation, interior framing and masonry work inside the gym area, outdoor brick work near the pre-K area and more.
Kristian Whitsett from Jones Whitsett Architects said the FF & E procurement is a process separate from the Fontaine contract, with Stefura Associates the contractor for furniture and Edvance handling the technology.
Whitsett praised Prouty High School Principal Nathan Malone and Assistant Principal Sara Kinnas for their feedback and participation in “really fantastic meetings…It’s like having a whole other job in addition to their already busy jobs, thinking about decisions that are coming down the road.”
He said funding from the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) does not always keep up with the price of furniture. However, he noted the technology costs are more in line.
On both, they can use state contracts which helps because the state negotiates the prices. “So, we can make sure to get a really good price for the district and get what the district wants,” Whitsett said.
For other parts, he added, it is better to go out to bid. He expects the district to issue purchase orders in December.
He said ordering now means some items will arrive in July 2025 and others in July 2026.
Whitsett noted some furniture will be for the pre-K wing that will be used for high school media, guidance, administrative offices and high school spaces not yet constructed.
Whether or not to use existing furniture versus permanent new furniture is a decision yet to be made.
A report on the MSBA additional funding grant of $4.5 million showed the final costs for that segment are tracking at $2.3 million, or $995,827 less.
The committee was asked to vote on three items to put back into the project with this additional money.
The board approved restoring improvements and utilities to the concessions building “not to exceed,” $62,488 and up to $20,031 for a new press box window with a new sliding glass.
Members made no decision on a “not to exceed” $37,680 line item to transport and install the salvaged center court logo from the former basketball court.
The logo has been stored off site. The plan would be to mount the logo on the east interior wall of the new gym surrounded by a new exterior metal frame.
It is costly, Whitsett said, because of the heaviness of the logo/frame and it will take five or six workers on each side to carry and lift it at iron workers’ pay rates.
Malone asked about the timeline for a decision, noting there are “love to have,” things with costs associated that must be weighed against “things actively impacting instruction.”
Chair Michael Either suggested the board discuss the matter again at the next meeting on November 21 at Wire Village Elementary School. There will be Zoom meetings on December 19 and January 16.
