In an era of skyrocketing construction costs and rapid student population growth, Forsyth County Schools in Georgia has developed innovative approaches to maximize their facilities budget.
At the recent K12 Facilities Forum, Matt Wark, the district’s Chief Facilities Officer, shared how his district is finding creative ways to stretch dollars while maintaining high standards and great buildings.
The Challenge of Growth
Forsyth County Schools is the state’s fifth-largest school district – and it’s growing quickly. Current data show the district is adding approximately 1,000 new students annually.
From a facilities standpoint, keeping up with that growth has meant Wark and his team have had to stay one step ahead of the ballooning growth. Significant challenges abound.
This increasing influx of students has necessitated building nine schools in 10 years, with construction costs nearly doubling – from $188 per square foot three years ago to $350 per square foot for the same construction today.
Breaking Down Traditional Models
One of Wark's most innovative approaches involves eliminating traditional general contractors for certain projects.
"When we're not doing structural work, we're going to remove the GC," Wark said. "Guess what I just saved? A 10 percent markup."
With two construction managers and two architects on staff, the district can manage many projects internally, particularly HVAC renovations, which comprise 90% of their current five-year plan for facilities upgrades.
Smarter Contracting
The district revolutionized its contracting approach by requiring detailed cost breakdowns.
"We make every contractor break down every cost,” Wark said. “You’ve got to show us different manufacturers (vendors) and price differences, and you must have lead times.”
This transparency has helped prevent hidden costs and allows the district to make informed decisions about paying premiums for faster delivery times, Wark said.
Preventative Maintenance Pays Off
With over 9 million square feet of space across 42 schools, preventative maintenance is crucial in Wark’s district.
A good example? The district employs third-party contractors for regular maintenance, dramatically reducing the need for expensive renovations, like full roof replacements.
"We only replace maybe one wing of a roof every year. Why? Because we have a preventative maintenance program," Wark said. “And it works.”
Creating Accountability
Forsyth County has implemented strict accountability measures, including:
- Requiring contractors to present their actual project team before contract signing
- Including liquidated damages clauses ($10,000 per day for high school projects)
- Mandating 48-hour response times on work orders
- Maintaining high standards for materials and specifications
The Results
This approach has helped Forsyth County maintain trust with its community by consistently delivering on its five-year facility improvement initiatives.
“We pride ourselves in never rolling something into the next [five-year plan]," Wark said.
His message is clear for other districts facing similar challenges: getting uncomfortable and challenging traditional construction and maintenance models can lead to significant savings without sacrificing quality.
It requires detailed attention to contracts, strong accountability measures, and a willingness to break from conventional approaches – but the payoff in saved dollars and maintained trust makes it all worthwhile.
Watch Matt's full talk below...
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