The Central Falls School Building Committee approved a $1.74 million bond payment at its August 5 meeting, its first draw on the second tranche of bond money now funding a track and field project, a retaining wall, and a new dual language school.
The vote came by voice vote, with no opposition recorded. The payment covers requisition number three under the 2025 bond series, and includes invoices from several contractors and vendors working across the district's projects, among them Narragansett Improvement Company. A bond series is the batch of borrowed money a city issues at one time; requisitions are the periodic bills drawn against it.
High school closeout
The committee's owner's project manager, Eric, reported that 26 punch-list items remain out of 2,737 identified — the running list of corrections a contractor must finish before a project is formally closed. Change orders totaling $179,356 are being charged against the high school construction budget, and $48,583 is going toward outdoor furniture funded through the Facilities Opportunity Initiative.
He said the owner's soft-cost line is now zeroed out, so new costs are drawn from hard-cost construction contingency. Additional furniture purchases include science tables whose legs had to be raised, at $53,513, plus $13,848.15 in tables and chairs.
Asked when the rooftop terrace would be usable, Eric said furniture is currently expected on site around October 2, and that his team is trying to move that date earlier so students can use the space nearer the start of the year. The first day of school is August 26.
Track, retaining wall, dual language school
Demolition of the existing track and field is done, and materials are being staged on site. Drilling and installation of pilot piles for the retaining wall began in July and was about 20 percent complete at the end of the month, with completion expected in mid-August. Concrete wall panels, a long-lead item, are also expected on site in August.
A committee member raised a safety concern for families: young people have been getting through the fencing at the back of the school during the summer, and the fence is easy to push over. Members agreed to include messaging to families that the area is an active construction site before school opens.
For the dual language school, no contractor is yet in place, so the 90 percent construction-documents estimate remains the budget baseline. An abutter survey costing $14,162.50 was completed to establish property boundaries, because construction is expected to affect land close to the school property line. Just over $500,000 in contingency held back after demolition and abatement bids is now being drawn down, including for July security details.
Officials also reported meeting July 14 with bond counsel, state budget officials, and the city to review the completed high school work and outline what the second bond tranche will fund. Minority- and women-owned business participation was reported at 15.04 percent.
Other business
The July 8 minutes were approved by voice vote. The committee's revolving fund subcommittee reported the elevator project is complete and that specifications for bathroom work are being drafted, though the subcommittee has not formally met over the summer to confirm that as its next project.
The committee also said it has invited the nine members of the Central Falls School Board to fill a vacant seat on the building committee, and hopes to have a representative by the next meeting.
The next meeting is scheduled for September 2.