A proposed renovation project at Carnegie Elementary School is being reevaluated due to costs exceeding expectations, according to Carlynton School District officials.
Carlynton had planned to move forward with the renovations this summer, but the bids were higher than anticipated, according to a district statement.
The base bid was about $18.3 million. When factoring other costs, such as furniture, contingencies and change orders, the total projected cost was more than $22 million.
“This is significantly higher than our initial maximum budget of $20 million and did not include some alternate work for which we found value,” the district said. “The largest cost overruns were in areas that were heavily impacted by recent tariffs and broader economic uncertainty.”
Possible next steps discussed by the board include:
- Postponing a final decision on bids while district officials get more information and evaluate alternatives.
- Consider rebidding the project in six months, hoping the construction market stabilizes.
- Adjust the project scope and focus on expanding classroom space.
- Meet with the district’s financial advisor to review bond options and market conditions.
- Assess smaller projects at the school that could be handled now to address immediate space and accessibility needs at the school.
- Study the feasibility of a capital campaign to help close the funding gap.
“Throughout this process, our goal remains the same: to create a safe, modern, and inclusive learning environment for our students while being responsible stewards of taxpayer resources,” the statement said.