Cost estimates for the new Wickford Middle School rose sharply, and the committee had to rank the extras

What happened

On March 31, 2026 the project's architects, Perkins Eastman, presented a cost history for the new Wickford Middle School showing a substantial increase between spring 2025 and fall 2025 estimates. The architect said the early figures came from comparable projects while the later ones reflected actual drawings, and told the committee Perkins Eastman was surprised the cost went up so much. The committee later ranked which optional items ("add alternates") to keep, and approved that priority list on June 16, 2026.

Why it matters to families

When a school project costs more than planned, something usually has to be dropped. Families were told to expect items such as athletic fields, a generator and a new septic system, and those are now the items being ranked.

The evidence

The March 31, 2026 approved minutes record the Perkins Eastman cost history presentation, the questions from committee members about the size of the increase, and the architect's answer that the firm was surprised by it.

The source