When Fennimore Community School District wanted to update buildings constructed in the 1950s and ‘60s, they faced multiple decades worth of challenges. There were considerable issues in the midcentury buildings, including deteriorating locker rooms, roofing issues, and aging infrastructure. In addition to the regular decay of old buildings, they were dealing with significant challenges that made working with other contractors difficult. There were safety concerns, including two layers of asbestos in a roof originally installed in the ‘50s.
There was no question that the buildings needed updates and improvements. However, after a previous project went off the rails and was over budget, the community was understandably skeptical of approving the necessary funds.
After a successful project first project in 2022, Fennimore Community Schools continued its partnership with Performance Services with a $17 million referendum project that voters approved in April 2024. Performance Services collaborated with the Fennimore community to ensure the upgrades were completed on time and on budget.
- We coordinated multiple construction and renovation projects
Performance Services began by renovating outdated locker rooms in the high school building constructed in the ‘50s. That project led to reconfiguring storage and lockers in the elementary school and then re-roofing areas of the high school. Now, we’re working on completing the $17 million referendum project to update all buildings. - We provided a comprehensive approach to facility planning
Our plans include an immediate, medium, and long-range plan for the district’s facilities. Performance Services digitized old building blueprints and maps to ensure seamless collaboration across all areas of the build. We collaborated with different departments to gather input and gain a clear understanding of the wants and needs of the people who use the facility. Through our programming meetings and constant communication, we set appropriate expectations and met the needs and wants of each group. - We partnered with the community to pass the referendum
Getting community buy-in was critical to passing the referendum, and we were boots on the ground to make it happen. Performance Services worked with the school board to create and conduct community surveys. We helped organize and run community meetings and even sat on the community board.
The project was delivered ahead of schedule and below budget through:
- Comprehensive planning and management
Starting with the smaller renovation projects, each plan was broken down into phases. After those projects were successful, Performance Services was able to tackle the large-scale referendum project with the support of the community. We also worked hand-in-hand with the district’s financial advisor to ensure the project would stay within budget and maximize the district’s financial resources. - Transparent communication and collaboration
Performance Services has provided hand-in-glove guidance every step along the way, from holding community meetings to drawing up plans and hiring local contractors for specialized work. We delivered clear information about the project’s scope, costs, and timeline, and worked closely with the school board and community to ensure the project met their expectations. Performance Services even helped the Fennimore School District launch a local voter awareness campaign to ensure the referendum passed. - Ongoing Support and Flexibility
As the project progressed, Performance Services maintained a constant presence on-site, with regular meetings and updates throughout the project. This enabled us to be flexible and tackle challenges as they arose, including a significant power outage that required a generator to be brought in from Madison.
Key Results
- One-stop shop
Fennimore School District didn’t have to deal with multiple vendors. Performance Services delivers an all-inclusive approach, from design to construction management, with guaranteed pricing and no change orders. - Cost savings and project upgrades
Fennimore School District was able to save money when Performance Services delivered projects under budget, allowing them to add additional improvements like an athletic training room. - Shorter project deadlines
Performance Services helped Fennimore School District turn a 3-year project into a 2-year project, saving money and ensuring students would be back in their school building fast.
Project Highlights
- Build new career and technical education (CTE) addition
- Build new addition to the weight room
- Replacing leaking roof sections and removing asbestos at the middle/high school
- Repairing roof sections and installing stormwater management/drainage systems at the elementary school
- Repairing/replacing windows at the elementary school to improve energy efficiency
- Install new air conditioning in sections
- Replace worn playground equipment
- New lighting at the baseball/football fields
- Renovate existing elementary school restrooms to become ADA-compliant
- Build a tech ed lab addition to better support automotive, welding, and woods courses
- Renovate weight lifting into classrooms
- Expand the occupational/physical therapy area and install ADA-compliant restrooms on the first floor of the elementary school
