Cumming to Oversee $2.4 Billion School Improvement Plan
By Aziza Jackson
WAKE COUNTY, N.C. — The Wake County Public School System (WCPSS) recently tapped Cumming, an international project management and cost consulting firm, to provide executive oversight and to oversee the $2.4 billion seven-year Continuous Capital Improvement Plan and Real Estate Services Department.
As experts in educational construction project and cost management services, Cumming will provide executive oversight for the District’s Facility, Design & Construction Department (FD&C). FD&C manages all bond funded construction projects for WCPSS and consists of on-site facility planners, project managers, and project controls, life cycle, quality assurance, and FF&E specialists.
“Cumming is thrilled to continue our partnership with Wake County Public Schools,” said Chris Whitley, vice president at Cumming. “Over the last few years, we have made great strides in both operational and organizational improvements within the Facilities, Design and Construction (FD&C) group. We look forward to further improvements and to helping Wake County Public Schools deliver high quality educational facilities on time and within budget.”
The district’s continuous seven-year Capital Improvement Plan includes 15 new schools, 14 major school renovations or full replacements, along with life cycle, technology, security, and space needs assessment projects, plus real estate acquisitions.
WCPSS’ seven-year plan includes 18 new schools (11 elementary, three middle, and four high) along with 16 major renovations (10 elementary, four middle, and two high schools).
Additionally, the plan includes life cycle equipment replacement, educational equipment and furniture replacement, technology and security, land acquisition, environmental/ADA issues, mobile relocations, unique learning environments (SNAP), facilities assessments, program management, and program contingency.
After a long history of providing consultancy services to the district, Cumming’s North Carolina-based team led by Whitley, and Director Bryan Roof, was awarded a four-year contract extension due to surpassing district expectations by providing industry best practices for program improvements over the past three years.
As part of this contract extension, Cumming will head up the FD&C Department, providing overall executive oversight as the firm continues to make positive changes within the organization to benefit the local community.