Northampton school renovation on track

The renovation of the Northampton Middle School and High School complex remains on schedule for completion by December 2026, according to Dane Seagle of Skanska, the project’s manager, at an update for the Northampton Board of Supervisors at Tuesday night’s regular meeting. Recent progress includes excavation work following the girls’ locker room demolition, installation of stormwater and water lines, and ongoing construction of the middle school facilities.

The project’s total budget stands at $90.9 million, significantly higher than the initially advertised $82 million. County Administrator Charlie Kolakowski clarified that the lower figure represented only construction costs, not including architectural and engineering services. “The $84 million was the hard construction bid for the building itself. The architectural work, we had to go through that twice really,” Kolakowski explained. “We’ve been up front about it, we haven’t tried to hide what the costs are.” He added final price would be higher.

Current construction activities include laying concrete masonry unit walls for the middle school gym, locker room, weight room, and auditorium. Underground electrical and plumbing work continues alongside geothermal well development. The middle school gym roof installation is approaching, with discussions underway about managing large steel beam placement without disrupting school operations.

While a recent asbestos abatement added $12,584 to costs, the project has realized nearly $344,000 in savings through tax-exempt materials purchases. Total expenditures through January 2025 have reached $16.7 million.

The renovation proceeds in multiple phases, with the current phase, which is new construction, scheduled for completion in April 2026. Phase 2 will begin in December 2025 and Phase 3 in June 2026.