Principal Dale Rumberger has guided South County Secondary, a new school in Fairfax County, Va., through its successful construction process. In this issue, he shares the pros and cons of working with contractors in an interview withEducation Updatecontributor Terrey Hatcher Quindlen.
ASCD: You have been involved in the building of two high schools. How has your recent experience with the construction of South County Secondary differed from your previous experience?
Rumberger: With South County, we've structured the project as a public—private partnership, not the conventional approach used when I was principal during Westfield High School's construction in 2000. This time, for example, I haven't worked directly with the builder or the architect. The architect was working for the builder, not the school system.
Under the public—private partnership, the contractor owns the building, and the school system leases it for a period of time. When Westfield was being built, I sat in on all the construction meetings. With South County, I did not. We're working with Clark Construction Group, a multinational company with tons of commercial construction experience.
The contractors have been efficient and have asked my opinion on certain items, like technology planning, paint colors, and crowd flow within the school. And they then made some changes with the architect.
ASCD: Has the partnership meant less control for you?
Rumberger: We've had a different communication dynamic—how we need to plan for and discuss changes. This is a long process—crafting the building's standards, viewing the architect's rendering, bidding out the contract, and beginning construction. Two years ago, the school system didn't expect to need the capacity to stream video. Now, that feature is becoming standard. So your technology plan has to be flexible, or your building will be out of date when it opens.
ASCD: What are the advantages and disadvantages of this type of contracting structure?
Rumberger: This arrangement had a couple of advantages. We matched the needs of the school community with the expertise of a large-scale commercial builder. That helped keep some of the costs down. The price of steel and oil has skyrocketed, but we've been able to hold expenses in check because of the builder's expertise and a strong network of subcontractors.
The disadvantages crop up in working out the building schedule and the architectural change process. Commercial real estate projects tend to build in a high cost for change orders. The change orders are linked to the lag time between planning and building. For example, you might have to add new equipment or change the room designs to mesh with a new curriculum or requirements from No Child Left Behind.
ASCD: What advice would you give other school leaders involved in construction projects?
Rumberger: First you should be up-front about the expectations for your building—what you want it to look like and the purposes you want it to serve. Both partners have to be flexible. Look closely, ask questions, and view options. If a prototype of the building exists, spend time observing the traffic flow. Take into consideration the Americans with Disabilities Act; you want all parents and students to feel fully enfranchised in the school building.
Focus on your technology plan—what are you planning to load into your building? You have to match that to your instructional vision.
You always have to think about how you will use the space. What will the room's dimensions be? What will it be used for now and in the future? It's very important to include teachers in the discussion. A good teacher can tell you in 10 seconds whether or not the space works. Don't try to own it all; get different opinions.
ASCD: Wasn't the decision to include an automotive shop something you had to accommodate along the way?
Rumberger: The auto shop was a change—I wasn't sure where it was going to be located. Now it's a huge component, and it's well designed. We're excited about what it will make possible, and, more importantly, the kids are excited.
ASCD: Any final thoughts on what you've learned from your experience?
Rumberger: If you approach this job expecting a learning curve, you'll be more successful and less frustrated.
The final rule is: communicate. Show the contractors respect but don't kowtow to them. What's important is how the building works, and the teachers and kids will tell you that. Your staff and students are what it's all about.
Working out of a trailer for two years at two different schools in two different communities, I have learned so much. It has been the most professionally rewarding time in my 28-year career.
