Elementary School Building Committee May 15, 2026

The Town of Amherst Elementary School Building Committee held a meeting on May 15, 2026, focusing primarily on construction progress, budget updates, and procurement activities related to the new Amethyst Brook School project. The committee received a detailed construction update highlighting near completion of key areas such as the gymnasium flooring, kitchen equipment installation, and site preparation for playground cork installation. The project remains on schedule for a July 31st turnover, with ongoing commissioning and elevator installation. Financially, the committee reviewed the contingency budget, noting a low amount of traditional construction change orders ($669,000) relative to the project's size, and a remaining contingency of $7.6 million. Discussions included potential future savings and the use of contingency funds for enhanced commissioning support. Procurement-related approvals included multiple vendor invoices totaling over $3 million, covering services from construction contractors, landscaping, and testing firms. Additionally, the committee discussed the implementation of the town's new "percent for art" bylaw, allocating $250,000 for public art integrated into the school project. The process for selecting artists through a competitive RFP and advisory committee was outlined, with emphasis on collaboration with school staff and town departments. The meeting concluded with unanimous approval of presented invoices and scheduling of the next meeting and site visit.