Making A Difference: Building Schools

Despite the challenges of partnering, contracting, timing, and the need to please a diversity of community stakeholders, construction companies that dig in for builds with local schools find great satisfaction and pride in the work and outcomes. Assessing outdated school facilities, state and local governments continue allocating millions for renovations, rebuilds and fresh starts. Read on for insights into the current action on school builds.

Impacting Students and Communities

The U.S. Government Accountability Office has estimated that it will take $1.1 trillion to “modernize and replace” the outdated school buildings across the country, and professionals at Strategic Partnerships remind us that most of this funding is coming from state and local budgets as school districts “issue voter-approved bonds to pay for large-scale projects such as new buildings, equipment upgrades and sports facilities.” 

While school contracts can be very challenging, builders such as Jos. Schmitt Construction Company find that making a difference is extremely satisfying: 

School construction is some of the most rewarding work that we do. Whether it is a simple renovation or the construction of an entire new school, the impact that we have on everyone from the students to the community as a whole is incredible. If a construction project for a school is done correctly, the #1 beneficiary…should be the students. Whether it is the building of a new school, or updates to an existing one, the entire reason for doing it is to make the experience for the student better. There has been a renewed interest in optimizing school environments to make learning easier, leading to numerous studies…Whether these studies are talking about optimizing classroom sizes and shapes, the amount of natural sunlight, or even the color of the pain on the walls, they all show that there are right ways and wrong ways to build or renovate a school. 

For contractors looking to win bids for modern school builds, Bryan Construction underscores having the capacity to attend to these criteria:

• Safety and security
• Energy efficiency
• Learning space flexibility
• Modern classroom design
• Budgeting and cost management
• Technology integration for 21st century learning
• Compliance with shifting building codes and regulations
• Collaboration with community stakeholders
• Portable and modular construction

In the past five years, HVAC improvements in schools have also gained a whole new level of importance. Elementary, middle and high schools are all exploring ways to allow more outdoor air in, as well as to provide more outdoor learning spaces. Bradley Sherburne, with CetraRuddy Architecture in New York observes that healthy schools rest on three legs:“wellness, as it relates to a building’s programming and circulation; air quality, ventilation, and lighting; and sustainability that focuses on the building’s envelope and energy sourcing.” 

Investing In Comprehensive School Builds

From upgrades to security and emergency systems, to the creation of outdoor learning spaces and state of the art tech and sports facilities, and the latest in early childhood education, school construction around the country reflects public interest in significantly modernizing learning environments. Strategic Partnerships provides examples of the ambitious school construction underway in many districts, including these:

• The Avondale School District in Michigan has approved a comprehensive $150 million infrastructure and facilities modernization project….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.

• Fayette County Public School officials plan to construct a new Henry Clay High School facility in Lexington, Kentucky. The…$151.6 million project will deliver a three-story facility capable of accommodating 2,300 students. It will have secure outdoor learning areas….

• 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…the Cranston Apprenticeship Exploration School renovation….All efforts will include modernizing classrooms, enhancing safety and security and expanding capacity. The investment is planned to accommodate future growth. 

Let’s Do This: Partnering For The Win

Ready to build the future schools in your community? Colonial Surety is here to help you and your team succeed. Our Hometown Bond Program helps local builders get credit based underwriting bonds for up to $250k—no financial statements required.  

Growing from there, construction business owners can get in on more action by qualifying for The Partnership Account® for Contractors. Once qualified, you’ll use our power of attorney to issue your own bid bonds, in minutes. Order performance bonds with speed and ease too. Plus, you’ll bid and win more than ever as you leverage your:

• surety line of credit—in writing;
• private digital dashboard;
• daily snapshot of single and aggregate limits 
• ability to update work on hand

Surety Bond programs for construction businesses of every size are right here: Bonding Programs at Colonial Surety Company

Founded in 1930, Colonial Surety Company is a leading direct seller and writer of surety bonds and insurance products across the USA. Colonial Surety Company is rated “A Excellent” by A.M. Best Company and U.S. Treasury listed.