New High School Cost Overruns

On December 1, 2005, the Ann Arbor News reported that underestimates for construction costs have already reached $3,500,000. Jack Baker, whose position is murky but who has something to do with managing the managers of construction, said at the 2/8/06 Board meeting that there are another $5 million in overruns coming soon. And keep in mind that this is when construction of the New High School has only barely begun.

How is that possible? Good question. There are two areas so far where the School District is facing its own mismanagement in the form of overruns: concrete and steel.

Since the concrete portion of the construction comprises about 7,500 cubic yards, and the cost of concrete has in fact recently gone up by $1 per yard, the underestimate could reasonably be on the order of $7,500. Where is the rest? It is yet to be explained.

Steel has also gone over the original estimate by about $2,000,000. This is based on the decision to build a 4-story rather than a 2-story building. Either the administration, which has no experience in construction made or mistake, or worse, the designers of the building, supposedly knowledgeable people, made a mistake.

Who will pay for it? Some way, someday, the residents of the district.

	Fighting Mismanagement in the Ann Arbor Public Schools District "If they can get you asking the wrong questions, they don't have to worry about answers" — Thomas Pynchon

Main Archives Page (New High School) Environment Land Use Traffic School size Demographics Safety Archaeology Alternative sites In the News About CRS Write a letter ! Contact Us Home Page	New High School Cost Overruns On December 1, 2005, the Ann Arbor News reported that underestimates for construction costs have already reached $3,500,000. Jack Baker, whose position is murky but who has something to do with managing the managers of construction, said at the 2/8/06 Board meeting that there are another $5 million in overruns coming soon. And keep in mind that this is when construction of the New High School has only barely begun. How is that possible? Good question. There are two areas so far where the School District is facing its own mismanagement in the form of overruns: concrete and steel. Since the concrete portion of the construction comprises about 7,500 cubic yards, and the cost of concrete has in fact recently gone up by $1 per yard, the underestimate could reasonably be on the order of $7,500. Where is the rest? It is yet to be explained. Steel has also gone over the original estimate by about $2,000,000. This is based on the decision to build a 4-story rather than a 2-story building. Either the administration, which has no experience in construction made or mistake, or worse, the designers of the building, supposedly knowledgeable people, made a mistake. Who will pay for it? Some way, someday, the residents of the district.