It seems that estimating the cost of school construction projects is like aiming at a moving target—a target that keeps getting higher.

Iredell County and the Iredell-Statesville Schools retained Construction Control Corporation to evaluate the construction projects recommended by the Joint Facility Task Force.

Construction Control presented its findings February 15. The cost of the projects in Phase One of the plan was estimated at $116,893,129. School officials had put a price tag of a little over $80,000,000 on the same projects.

The consultant’s report explained that in 2004 construction prices had increased about 15 per cent, well above the normal increase of about four percent per year. This rise in construction costs does not come close to accounting for the overall 45 percent increase in the price of the projects.

The report stated: “Our review identifies all work that we believe necessary to bring a building up to a level which we would consider very good to excellent condition. This level is maintained at each school so that all schools are as equal as possible.”

The most expensive Phase One project is Statesville High School. The Facility Task Force had recommended that the existing buildings be renovated and a freshman academy added. At various times school officials estimated the cost of this project at $16 to $21 million.

Construction Control recommended that the existing buildings at the school be demolished and replaced with a new structure, at an estimated cost of $39,959,850.

Task Force had called for closing Monticello elementary school and transferring its students to an expanded N.B. Mills. The consultants recommended that both schools be closed and replaced with a new building estimated to cost $11,794,781.

It would require a substantial tax increase to finance the recommended projects any time in the near future.

Estimated Phase One Costs
Construction Control Corporation, 2-15-05
Construction Control Corporation
February 15, 2005