The facilities committee of the Wallingford‑Swarthmore School District on Nov. 18 said it selected KCBA as the finalist to lead conceptual design work for the high‑school renovation.

Doctor Johnson introduced the procurement timeline and described the conceptual phase the district is entering, saying firms provided three cost scenarios — roughly $50 million, $65 million and $80 million — so the district can identify an affordable scope. She told the committee that “the cost of conceptual design will be credited towards the full architectural services contract,” meaning the district will not pay twice for design work that becomes part of a later full contract.

Ryan Orrba, principal at KCBA Architects, described the firm’s K–12 experience and said KCBA plans to prioritize students, safety and budget discipline. “We want to make sure this project is centered on [students], as well as safety, faculty and staff,” Orrba said, describing local projects his firm has done.

District staff outlined a timeline: if the board approves the conceptual‑design contract at the upcoming board meeting, the district intends to kickoff work within days, have conceptual design work completed by April, engage faculty and students in January and return to the board with recommendations in March. Doctor Johnson repeated that conceptual work will be used to fine‑tune what the district can afford and what it must accomplish.

The committee said the internal selection committee chose KCBA on Nov. 5 and the full board will vote on the contract at the next board meeting; presenters said the contract is posted on BoardDocs for public review. Community members asked whether the Nov. 5 selection was a public vote; administrators said the Nov. 5 decision was by an internal interview committee and the full board will consider the contract at the board meeting, where the public may comment.

The district’s next steps include a kickoff meeting (contingent on board approval), continued surveys of existing conditions, meetings with faculty and students in January, community outreach during winter and a March board recommendation on project scope for potential schematic design.

The facilities committee did not take a final contract vote at this meeting; approval is pending the full board’s action at the scheduled board meeting.