Initial plans for a new high school in Mitchell were unveiled at yesterday’s Mitchell School Board meeting with the price tag higher than anticipated. The school would cost $62 million. Mitchell Schools Superintendent Dr. Joe Graves says that is over budget by about $20 million. The district has $42 million to spend on the school through savings and federal COVID-19 dollars. Mark Puetz of Puetz Design Build, which is the construction manager for the project, says the costs of projects across the board have increased by around 20-25 percent since November, and they have tried to account for that. Robin Miller with Omaha-based architecture firm Schemmer, says there are several features that can be delayed to bring the initial cost down, including a plaza, practice fields, and an auxiliary gymnasium.
The school district is looking to replace the current high school, which is 60 years old and is not up to code in some areas. The new high school would be built across the street from the current high school next to the MCTEA building and performing arts center. Dr. Graves said a committee would begin work on whittling down the cost. Puetz said that plans could be complete in early December with construction starting next spring. No action was taken by the board, as the item was informational only.
