Letter to the Editor: School Board Deserves Credit for Construction Cost Savings

The current Oswego School Board deserves mega kudos for saving taxpayers of the district millions of dollars. The new board decided to add additions to the two existing high schools to increase each capacity to a maximum of 3,200 but normally operate at a capacity of 3,000 or less.

The construction bids for these additions including alternates, contingencies, and architect fees are $17,696,275 for and $23,158,684 for a combined total of $40,854,959, which is $61,145,041 million less than the $102 million estimated for a third high school which would have also added $2.1 million a year in operating costs. The construction bid total for the two additions is $5,130,987 less than the last revised estimate and over $9 million less than what was originally estimated. 

The administration recently admitted the additions will suffice for 5 to 7 years.  The bonding costs at a nominal 4% for 5 years for $61,145,041 would be $12,229,008. There will be added operating costs for the additions but they should be less than half of those estimated for a separate building. Using  $1.1 million/ year savings in operating expense adds $5 million more savings.  Adding the differences, (additions vs. third high school), in construction costs, bond interest and operating savings the total savings $78,374,049 over 5 years.

That is a monumental saving for the taxpayers of Oswego School Distict. and equals 76% of the cost of building a new high school should one be needed in 5 years.  Kluber Architects and Engineers Inc. deserve compliments for their outstanding work in keeping the costs down; however, that is not surprising, because they have accomplished that many times in the past for our district.  Thanks to this board who brought Kluber Inc., a local firm from Batavia, back to be our architects instead of using the recent out of state architects, DLR and AST&R.

It is difficult to understand why the Early Childhood Center, built by DLR at a high cost of $186 dollars a square foot, when Kluber Inc. was building schools at $115 to 120 a square foot, and why it cost nearly $30 million by AST&R to remodel Oswego High School which did not add any student capacity.  Those projects were initiated during the Behlow era, under the supervision of Doug Gallois who Behlow hired as the district’s construction manager, saying he would save the district money. Consider that for $40.9 million the student capacity will be increased by 1,600 compared to a 0 increase for $30 million. Would the previous school board members and administration explain why the costs previously were so high. 

I am sure the school board members who receive no pay would appreciate a Thank You from those who appreciate the money they have saved you the taxpayer.  Give them a call or send an email.

Leland H. Hoffer, Oswego