Elementary School Construction on Target to Finish on-time and Under Budget

Report on the Meeting of the Elementary School Building Committee, January 16, 2026

This meeting was held over Zoom and was recorded.

The Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) convened on January 16, 2026 for its monthly meeting. Tim Cooper from DiNisco Design (architects) reported that other than the doors, the building should be completely enclosed this month and all interior spaces will be defined by the time of the next walkthrough in February. Outside of the building, playground equipment is partially installed, footings are in place for the solar canopies, and all major roof equipment is in place. Now that a name has been selected for the school (Amethyst Brook Elementary School), DiNisco will produce sign designs for the committee to consider; the Planning Board will have to approve of the selected design.

Furniture and Playground Surface
Owner’s Project Manager Ksenyia Slavsky reported that pricing has been received for FFE (furniture, fixtures, and equipment), and they are in the process of reviewing it with plans to report back at the next meeting. She said it generally looks good with no anticipated problems. Amherst Capital Project’s Manager Bob Peirent reported that bidding has opened for the Corkeen playground surfacing contract. The bid documents require that the installers have experience working with the cork-based poured-in-place material, including references and confirmation by the manufacturer that they are a certified installer. Results are due on January 30, 2026.

Change Order for PV foundation WorK
Peirent reported that a change order is forthcoming for additional foundation work for the PV canopies over the parking lot. Contractors who reviewed the original designs determined they did not meet code. The additional work is anticipated to cost $450,000. Even with this increase, the total project cost remains more than a million dollars below the late stage construction cost estimates.

Funding for Geothermal and Solar Still Likely
Peirent reported some “good news” related to federal tax credits. Under the original Inflation Reduction Act program, the town had to apply for either the Ground Source geothermal portion or solar, but not both. Now, the town is also eligible to apply for the solar portion of the project. Because of the concern that federal grants may yet be withdrawn, Peirent reported that the Town will apply for a state program (Mass Green Communities)  to backstop the federal funds. Peirent anticipates that this additional grant for solar would likely defray the costs of the change order. Town Manager Paul Bockelman added that he is “optimistic but there’s no guarantee” [of receiving tax credits] because of what is happening at the federal level and Amherst’s status as a sanctuary community.

Invoices Total over $5 million for December
The following invoices were approved unanimously:

Anser (Owner’s Project Manager) $ 58,697.50

DiNisco (Designer) $  66,760.00

CTA (General Contractor) $ 5,048,126.82

Allied Testing $ 1,936.00

Next Site Tour and Project Timeline
State legislators, as well as new Amherst Town Councilors and School Committee members, will be invited to join the ESBC on the next site tour that will take place on February 24, 2026. Committee members Deb Leonard (Amherst School Committee Chair) and Allison Estes (Principal, Wildwood Elementary School) both reported that there have been rumors circulating that the project is behind schedule, but Slavsky refuted them unequivocally and stated that the school will be ready to open in Fall 2026. A ribbon-cutting will be scheduled in advance of the start of school.

The ESBC will meet next in February 2026.