Northampton Middle/High School renovation on time and budget so far

The renovation of the Northampton Middle and High School facilities on Courthouse Road in Eastville is currently on time and under budget.

Dane Seagle from Skanska, the construction firm handling the project, provided an update to the Board during Tuesday night’s work session in Eastville.

Work began in August of this year, and several steps have already been completed. Site work has been finished, foundations for new buildings have been poured, geothermal wells have been drilled, and underground electrical work has begun. The large trees removed from the front of the building will be milled and used in the project. Additionally, the walls of the middle school gym are nearly completed and the gym floor was poured on Tuesday. This gym is an armored structure, made of concrete blocks reinforced with steel.

Seagle noted a few change orders, such as the school system opting to purchase some materials directly to save on taxes. However, these changes have not impacted the project’s timing or budget.

The construction company also plans to incorporate construction activities as learning experiences for students.

The dry weather in September and October has facilitated progress on the project.

“That kind of helps when you don’t have all that rain hampering things,” Seagle said.

Northampton Schools Finance Director Brooke Thomas reported that, so far, approximately $4 million has been spent of the estimated $81 million budget for the project.