08/25/26 Dwight School Building Committee

The Town of Fairfield, Connecticut Dwight School Building Committee convened on August 25, 2026, to discuss the ongoing design and budget reconciliation for the new Dwight School project. Key procurement-related topics included the review and approval of Tecton's first invoice, detailed discussions on schematic design estimates, and strategies for value engineering to reduce the current $80 million construction estimate down to the $59.4 million control budget. The committee examined various cost-saving measures such as reducing square footage, eliminating non-essential features like outdoor dining areas and operable windows, and considering alternatives in mechanical systems including HVAC options and structural materials like insulated concrete forms (ICF). They also discussed site work efficiencies and the impact of state reimbursement limits on allowable square footage. The committee emphasized the need for a collaborative approach to prioritize and vote on potential value engineering items, aiming to present a refined budget to the town by early October. No final decisions were made, but action items included circulating a living document for committee members to indicate preferences on design elements to facilitate cost reduction efforts.