Project Value:
$569 million

Project Duration:
1995-2002

Parsons Services:
construction management,
project management, design review,
prototype
development,
cost estimating, scheduling,
document control,
cost & schedule
control, M/WBE participation,
cash flow studies, asbestos design, geotechnical investigations, topographic surveys, safety

Carnes (pictured), Springdale and White Station Elementary schools were nominated by the state of Tennessee for National School Board Association Architectural Design Awards

Phase I included renovating 18 existing schools, replacing 6 existing schools with new schools on the same sites, and building two new schools. Within a year of Parsons' original contract, the project scope expanded to include design review on several additional items such as fire/safety code compliance, ADA compliance, fire sprinkler systems, computer support wiring and outlets, new suspended ceilings, and playground equipment for elementary schools.

In 1997, Tennessee passed legislation requiring all school districts to comply with maximum student-to-teacher ratios by the beginning of the 2001–2002 school year. The new ratio of teachers to pupils for grades K-3 is 1:20 and for grades 4-12, 1:25. With the establishment of these standards, the MCS Board of Commissioners directed MCS staff to develop a long-range plan for addressing all school facilities. Phase I was performed on time and within budget and thus Parsons was awarded the Phase II construction contract without competition.

The 24 projects in Phase II are divided into three subsets: 14 projects to meet state-mandated class sizes, four new elementary schools, a new middle school, and five high school renovation/additions. With the addition of these 24 projects, the total budget grew from $190 million to $569 million. Parsons' responsibilities include program management, quality assurance, project controls, detailed schedules for each project in the program, assisting in contracting for design and construction services, design management, and construction management.

Interior of Carnes Elementary School

Another important Parsons' responsibility is to track minority and women owned (M/WBE) business participation in the program. To date, M/WBE participation is 32.5%, all by businesses in the Memphis area. On the Parsons team, participation is 50%.

During construction, Parsons' value engineering efforts with the contractors produced positive results. For example, changing the types of windows for the school package saved $3 million without sacrificing quality or security. These windows, like all new windows, have safety/security screens to reduce theft of computers and other equipment. These types of savings resulted in a final projected cost of $14.7 million under the approved budget, with 37 of the 41 schools in the current program completed.

Parsons' multiphased approach minimizes disruption to students and teachers. In addition, Parsons works with the architects and educational planners to develop phasing plans for each addition/renovation project to minimize interference with learning. For example, on the Oakhaven Elementary School, a five-phase plan was developed to minimize student relocation while allowing construction to progress. The administrative area and the kitchen/cafeteria were renovated during the summer to minimize disruption to students and faculty. Carefully phasing the project required students to relocate only once, and fire/safety systems (fire alarm and sprinklers) were brought on line before students occupied each renovated area.

Cordova Area Elementary School, scheduled to open in August 2002

Parsons developed a design manual, collecting all MCS design standards specific to its needs and desires. The manual provides each architect basic design criteria and a process to follow in designing and constructing schools. The manual includes space allocation standards to meet current and projected school curricula. Two elementary (K-5) school prototypes were developed along with one middle school and two high school prototype matrixes. These standards set the size, type, and number of classrooms, libraries, administrative offices, multipurpose spaces, equipment, circulation space, and all other requirements for new and replacement schools, and they also establish the baseline for renovation projects.

The Memphis school program is an excellent example of a cost effective, successful installation of an information technology system to a public school district. Every school constructed or renovated under this program now provides technology access for all students. Parsons worked with MCS staff to prepare standard technology requirements for all the schools. Parsons coordinated the installation of the information technology system and assisted the district in timely procurement. Doing so enabled all the schools' computer systems to be operational on the first day students attended schools, August 20, 2001.

Hickory Ridge Elementary (pictured), Craigmont Middle School, and Robert R. Church Elementary School were nominated to the Tennessee School Board Association for the 2001 Architectural Design Awards

MCS opened 14 CIP schools on August 20. Nine of these schools are new buildings, one replaces a school built in 1909, and four are renovation projects. Their total construction cost was more than $170 million and all construction was completed in 15 months. Much of the exterior work was accomplished during the winter months, which would ordinarily have caused extensive delays due to harsh weather conditions. However, Parsons and the contractors provided extra staff and worked overtime hours to ensure all 14 schools were completed on or ahead of schedule. With the completion of these schools, MCS now has 175 schools completely air-conditioned and in operation.

Craigmont Middle School received a second place Architectural Design Award from the Tennessee School Board Association in 2001

With the completion of Phase II, the largest school construction project in Memphis history has reached a major milestone. "It's an exciting time for Memphis City Schools and for the Memphis community," said Dr. Barbara Prescott, President of the Memphis Board of Education. "These student-friendly, technologically sophisticated learning facilities demonstrate that Memphis cares about education and cares about its children." Parsons is delighted to be a member of this progressive team that is striving to meet the educational needs of children today and for the future.

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