A principal in the Bethlehem firm hired to manage the construction of Upper Perkiomen's new middle school presented a cost estimate that exceeded projections of school district officials by more than $2 million.

                M. Arif Fazil, a principal with D'Huy Engineering, Inc., told the district's school board members last week that the budget estimate, required by state law, sets the total cost of the school at $58.496 million.

                District officials previously estimated the total cost of building the new school  at approximately $56 million. The middle school would be for sixth, seventh and eighth graders on property between Montgomery Avenue and the Green Lane Reservoir.

                "I am very comfortable with this budget," Fazil said during the Oct. 27 workshop meeting. "We think this budget is very commensurate with the costs."

                The budget, which will be included in a booklet required by the 1978 law Act 34, includes construction costs of $44.1 million, site development costs of $5.5 million, architectural services of $2.98 million and a $2 million contingency fund.

                According to Fazil, his firm only has control over the construction management fee of $872,500 and the construction cost. He told the audience the proper timing of the construction bid could drive down the expense to build the new school.

                "If we don't bid this at the right time, we're going to hurt ourselves," Fazil said.

                Alexis McGloin, Upper Perkiomen's superintendent, expressed hope that the district would spend far less than $44.1 million on construction costs.

                District officials will borrow the money in four small loans, according to McGloin.

                "We will only borrow the money we need," she said during the meeting.

                According to McGloin, the increase is about $500,000 over the district's estimate on the PlanCon A document figure from May.  She stated that with the addition of the construction management firm, school district officials are delineating both construction costs and soft costs to get a firm estimate on the overall expenses.

                "I do not believe any of the items are inflated," McGloin wrote in a Tuesday email. "But since we do not have confirmed fees or charges for many of the soft costs, the estimates are based on similar construction projects outside of our district."

                Robert J. Breslin, whose Allentown firm designed the middle school, presented a series of design drawings. Breslin, the principal and founder of Breslin Ridyard Fadero Architects, said the project could go out to bid in May or June and construction could begin in July if all township approvals are granted in a timely manner.

                The drawings included a student pickup and drop-off area, along with a majority of the classrooms on the 43-acre parcel, as well as a courtyard, according to Breslin. The cafeteria will feature a beautiful view of the reservoir, according to Michael Ackerman, a senior associate at the firm. 

                Breslin stated that the portion of the parcel closest to the high school will house the auditorium; gymnasium, lit with LED lighting; and music room.  He also said a parking lot on the eastern portion of the property will serve existing proximate athletic fields, and that a play field the size of a football field will be included.

                The new school will include a secure entrance, furniture with wheels and an auditorium that seats 650.

                During a facilities committee meeting that followed the workshop meeting, school board members decided to move forward with a plan to comply with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design standards.

                A series of environmental efficiencies – which might include green housekeeping, stormwater quality control, optimizing the interior energy performance, water use reduction and the implementation of solar panels – could generate a $2.25 million grant for the district.