The new school boasts several "green" features, including a guaranteed optimal learning environment, energy efficiency, natural lighting, and K-12 joint use and shared learning space.

Press Release

Berne, Indiana [July 20, 2009] South Adams Schools will celebrate the completion of their new Pre-K through 8th grade school with a ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony on Thursday, July 23, 2009 at 12 p.m. Members of the Class of 2022 will join school principals to cut the ribbon and officially open the school for the 2009-2010 school year.

South Adams is distinguished as the first and only public school district in Indiana to utilize the construction delivery method known as Design Build under Indiana public law IC 5-30. The results speak to the priorities of the school community as well as Indiana’s priorities for responsible spending with a focus on creating optimal learning environments. Scott Stewart, senior policy director, Office of the Governor, will attend the new school dedication.

"The average cost to build a new elementary school in 2007 was $157.81 per square foot, soft costs aside, according to Indiana's Department of Local Government Finance. With Design Build promising lower costs, we were hoping for a 6% savings. I am very pleased that we have realized a 16% cost savings amounting to nearly a $4,000,000 savings for South Adams taxpayers,” said Cathy Egolf, South Adams Superintendent. Construction costs are reported at $19,967,689 for the 149,678 square foot facility or $133 per square foot.

The new school boasts several "green" features, including a guaranteed optimal learning environment, energy efficiency, natural lighting, and K-12 joint use and shared learning space. 21st century technology includes a wireless campus, one-to-one computer access, and technology tools integrated into each classroom for teachers to collaborate and engage students.

"After many years of hard work and perseverance on the part of the people of the South Adams community, it makes me very proud to see the school to completion and to know that our students will benefit for many years to come. It is a true coming together of communities into one entity and a great collaborative effort for all of us to take ownership in. Our new school is an excellent place for learning and I am happy to be a small part of it," said Tony Mellencamp, South Adams School Board of Trustees President. An open house with school tours are scheduled from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 23rd and 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Friday, July 24th.

“We are thankful to have been entrusted with this landmark design build school construction project by South Adams Schools and the community. The school staff and our construction partners are great to work with and I am amazed at how positive, cooperative and collaborative all parties are and have been throughout this entire project. We thought that the ‘win-win’ structure with the school, Performance Services and our construction partners would deliver better results, and the reality of what has transpired has far exceeded my expectations. At the ground breaking, when I saw all of the people from the South Adams community, the schools staff, the Board and especially the group of 5 year-olds representing the first graduating class, I felt a tremendous responsibility to deliver a high quality and high performing school that will serve the children and community for decades to come—and to complete it on time. Thanks to the South Adams staff, our employees and our partners, I believe we have accomplished these goals. It feels great to be part of such an important and successful project,” said Tim Thoman, President, Performance Services, Inc.

Performance Services is an Indiana-based design build engineering company that specializes in constructing and renovating schools and renovating universities to deliver optimal learning environments through both the Guaranteed Energy Savings Contract and Design-Build procurement methods. Innovative wind power and geothermal systems are integral to the energy services portfolio. The company has provided energy solutions to schools for 11 years and is the leading service provider of guaranteed energy savings projects and ENERGY STAR® labeled schools in Indiana. Performance Services is also recognized as the 2009 #1 Best Places to Work employer in Indiana for a companies with 25-249 employees. To learn more about the South Adams project, visit www.performanceservices.com.

Source: Performance Services