Concord School Board members say the $176 million price tag for a new middle school is just an estimate – but they’re already using that figure to calculate some hard costs for the project.

On Monday night, the board approved a $10.3 million contract with HMFH Architects to design the new school in East Concord based on the current cost of the project.

However, school board members promised they’d lower expenses as they continue their work.

“I would say that the $176 million is the ceiling and it’s going down,” Board President Pam Walsh said at the evening meeting. Asked by a resident whether it is a certain, firm ceiling, she responded, “That is the next phase.”

The current estimate incorporates everything that the district might want to be included in a new school, Walsh continued. A budget cannot be cemented without a detailed design.

Firm plans for the project will be developed over the next several months: the contracted firm, HMFH Architects, will partner with the board’s newly minted building committee and working groups to draw up the plans. A more firm cost estimate for the project is expected in June, the contract states.

The $10.3 million contract is derived from the estimated construction costs — $138 million of the total. The architect’s fee is 7.5% of that figure. Making up the difference are soft costs, like furniture and professional services.

Because of drastic increases in construction and labor costs and overall building values in the years following the pandemic, board members have cautioned about making direct comparisons between this project and recent ones in other communities. But, for context, a new middle school in Nashua, part of an ambitious three-school project and currently nearing completion, has a $92 million overall budget — $79 million of which is construction, according to financial reports. Its architect and engineer fees are budgeted at just under $4 million.

The Concord school district negotiated the design contract down by $1.7 million, Business Administrator Jack Dunn noted at the meeting. At the board’s request, its language also creates the ability for a pause, should the project be delayed by the state school building aid process.

Still shaken by the board’s December decision about where to locate the school, residents who spoke at the meeting were firm: the cost must come down.

“I don’t want to lose my home because I can’t afford the taxes,” said Michelle Tilton, a lifelong city resident. “I don’t want to have to move home with my family, as much as I love them. I don’t want to give up my business.”

“I just ask … that you be as transparent as possible with us,” Tilton continued. “We put our trust in you. We ask you to be very transparent with us.”

Rob Hansen, a mechanical engineer who works in construction, urged the board towards realism and prudence as plans are actualized.

“It can be cheaper and do the same things,” Hansen said. “And I hope your design team will lead you down that trail.”

The board is now seeking applications for its building committee and two of the working groups — programming, which will decide what offerings the design should support, and sustainability — all of which are set to begin meeting this month. Hansen was encouraged by the board to apply.

(Catherine McLaughlin can be reached by email at cmclaughlin@cmonitor.com.