Facing mounting challenges with its intermediate school configuration, Avon Community School Corporation sought a bold new direction. Transitioning students from elementary to intermediate to middle school within just four years had disrupted learning and made it difficult for teachers to build meaningful relationships with students. With enrollment growth looming, the district needed to act fast—and act smart.
Strategic Planning with Speed in Mind
Our team partnered closely with Avon to evaluate three potential paths forward: build a new elementary, intermediate, or middle school. One option was to maintain the status quo by continuing to expand existing intermediate facilities, but enrollment projections showed a potential of 2,400 5th and 6th graders on a single campus—an unsustainable outcome.
We developed conceptual diagrams and a comparative analysis to guide district leaders through the options. Ultimately, the district decided to eliminate the intermediate grade configuration, shifting 5th graders into elementary schools and 6th graders into a new middle school. This move would improve student experience while managing growth, without increasing the community’s tax rate or exceeding the district’s debt threshold.
Community Collaboration and Early Buy-In
Time was not on our side. To meet enrollment needs, the new middle school had to open by fall 2025. That meant planning, design, permitting, and construction would all have to be completed in just 22 months—an aggressive timeline by any measure.
To succeed, early consensus was crucial. Our team led transparent community engagement efforts, facilitating understanding and support. We also invited local regulatory agencies and utility providers to the table at the start, before design work even began. This proactive approach fostered early buy-in and streamlined later approvals.
Execution on an Accelerated Schedule
With a hard deadline in sight, we worked backward to define key project milestones. The building site required rezoning, a process typically fraught with delay. We completed site design and documentation in just three months to allow timely submission for development plan approvals. By securing approvals before winter, we ensured site construction began before fall, avoiding costly weather delays.
There was no margin for error. Every decision was final. Every phase had to hit its mark. Our team leveraged technology like drones for surveying and real-time progress monitoring, and optimized workflows to avoid bottlenecks.
Flawless Delivery with Zero Change Orders
Despite the speed and complexity of this project, the original scope of work was delivered with zero change orders based on the agreed scope and final bids and pricing. This accomplishment was made possible by Performance Services’ unique model of sole accountability, which ensures comprehensive responsibility for every phase—from initial planning through design, pricing, and construction.
Our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering exactly what was promised, without surprises or cost escalations, eliminated the need for change orders on the defined scope. This approach gave the district confidence in both budget certainty and delivery speed. While there were owner-initiated scope additions during the project, they were handled collaboratively and without disrupting the core timeline or budget.
A District Transformed in Less Than Two Years
In under two years, the new middle school was constructed—and additions and renovations at nine other facilities were completed simultaneously. By Fall 2025, all buildings will be open on time and on budget.
This design-build project is a prime example of what’s possible with a clear vision, collaborative leadership, and a shared commitment to excellence with the design-builder’s sole accountability. Avon can now focus less on facilities and more on fostering student success.
