By Rich Larson
The Northfield School District’s ambitious Reimagine Northfield High School project is back on schedule and within budget after a successful rebidding process that addressed a major cost overrun discovered earlier this year.
According to outgoing Superintendent Dr. Matt Hillmann, the district received significantly better results when new bids were opened on June 16. The school board approved the revised bids during a special meeting on June 24, marking a major milestone for a project that appeared in jeopardy after initial construction bids came in roughly 20 percent higher than expected.
“The rebidding did what it needed to do,” Hillmann said. “We are on time and now on budget.”
The district was forced to rethink portions of the project after the original bids exceeded the amount authorized by voters in the 2024 referendum. State law prevents school districts from exceeding voter-approved funding levels, meaning district officials had to find savings while preserving the core vision of the project.
Hillmann said the district worked closely with construction manager Knutson, architects and engineers from Wold, district finance staff and buildings and grounds personnel to identify cost reductions. Contractors also offered suggestions that helped lower prices. One significant change was separating structural steel purchasing from installation, a move that saved several million dollars.
The district also revised plans for a family and consumer science addition, converting the project into a renovation of existing space while still providing a professional-grade culinary kitchen.
Most importantly, Hillmann said, the project’s major elements remain intact. Residents can still expect to see the extensive high school renovation, the expanded athletic and gymnasium facilities, and the geothermal heating and cooling system that was a centerpiece of the referendum campaign. The mechanical and geothermal systems were redesigned to reduce costs while maintaining their long-term benefits.
Additional funding from bond-interest earnings, long-term facilities maintenance revenue, and Carleton College’s $2 million contribution also helped preserve the project’s scope. While some cosmetic improvements will be delayed, Hillmann said the community will ultimately receive the school transformation it was promised. Construction is already underway, and substantial completion is now expected earlier than originally projected.
RIch Larson is the owner and General Manager of KYMN Radio. Contact him at rich@kymnradio.net.
