Northampton High School completion date delayed

Dane Seagle with Skanska presented a construction update on the ongoing Middle and High School modernization project to the Northampton Board of Supervisors Tuesday evening.

According to Seagle, major construction accomplishments include the installation of foundations for the cafeteria and connecting corridor, placement of concrete slabs for the middle school and administrative wings, and completion of Concrete Masonry Unit(CMU) wall courses in the middle school gym, locker rooms, and weight room. Brickwork has begun along the middle school wing and gym, and underground mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems are actively being installed across various sections.

Installation of the geothermal system continues, with 100 wells out of more than 500 remaining, and a new crew is scheduled to begin circuit connections to the pump house. Septic vault installation is also underway, and Verizon utility lines have been successfully relocated.

The total project budget remains unchanged at $91.18 million. Through the Owner-Direct Purchasing (ODP) program, the school division has saved $343,997 to date, with additional tax-exempt material purchases expected to bring total savings close to $500,000. These savings, combined with contingency funds, are being used to absorb $1.7 million in approved and anticipated budget increases—including $483,783 in added services from Woolpert and $577,000 in additional construction management services from Skanska due to the extended timeline. Northampton Schools Finance Director Brook Thomas reported all increases are approved by the oversight or enhancement committee, which is made up of members of the Board of Supervisors, the School Board and County staff.

Dr. Lisa Martin is working on a plan that would not require the renting of modular classrooms, but the $334,250 expense remains in the budget in case it is not feasible.

The construction schedule has been revised, adding four months to the overall timeline. This change accommodates logistical concerns, such as maintaining instructional access to the high school gym before the new middle school gym is completed. The updated timeline sets Phase 1 completion for April 2026, with final project completion now expected in May 2027.

As of March 2025, the project had expended approximately $20.7 million. Although costs have shifted within budget categories, school officials emphasized that the overall project budget has not increased since its approval in November 2023.

Seagle showed progress photos showing continued grading, utility installation, brickwork, and tree removal.

Northampton Schools Finance Director Brooks Thomas reiterated that through strategic planning and cost-saving measures, the project remains financially on track.