Category: K12

Introducing HPM’s New Director of Program Development: Elevating K-12 Construction with Proven Leadership

Posted on April 22, 2025

HPM is thrilled to welcome Horace Dunson to the Program Development Team. An experienced educational leader, Dunson had over two decades of experience in several roles in Atlanta public schools including Deputy Superintendent of Richmond County Schools.

In his new role as Director of Program Development with HPM, Dunson’s valuable experience will offer unique insight and resources for K-12 in HPM’s upcoming planning and program management project with DeKalb County Schools as well as additional K-12 projects in Atlanta and beyond. Dunson shared more about his background and what he is most excited for in this new role below:

Tell us about your background in K-12 in Atlanta:

My background in K-12 started as a high school science teacher and football coach. I advanced quickly into school administration where I worked for many years as a high school principal. My exposure to construction services began in 1997 when I was given the task of working on the ESPLOST design/concept team for the building of a new high school in Dekalb County. This experience later evolved into a new position as Area Superintendent of High Schools for the school district. My first project in this new role was developing the concept for what became the first LEED certified high school built in the state of Georgia. My experience expanded to the role as Chief Operating Officer where I lead divisions in Facilities and Operations, Safety, Transportation/Fleet management and Athletics. Later, I served as Deputy Superintendent of Operations and Administration where I managed the day-to-day operations of all divisions of the school district.

How will your new role as Director of Program Development help to serve our clients?

Providing strategic leadership, my role serves to ensure a seamless delivery of services to our clients through all phases of program management.

What are you most excited about in transitioning to this new role with HPM?

I am most excited to work with the many specialized teams of experts at HPM to provide solutions to complex challenges. From planning services to quality control, the availability of company resources to support our clients is unparalleled in our industry.

How do you envision this role helping K-12 districts?

I have direct experience understanding the client perspective of working with program managers in my career. I’ve navigated the complex challenges K-12 leaders face in policy, budgetary restraints, and legislative barriers to provide a comprehensive capital improvement program.

What is your favorite thing about HPM so far?

The team of professionals at HPM is one of the finest I’ve had the pleasure of working alongside.

Want to learn more about HPM’s K-12 projects? Explore our portfolio page.

How Construction Audits Help K-12 School Districts: Ensuring Fair Contracts & Accurate Billing

Posted on April 1, 2025

Negotiating fair, enforceable contract terms that help ensure accurate project billings for large-scale construction programs can be frustrating and complex. Many assume audits should only take place at the end of a project; however, having construction audit and advisory services throughout every stage of a construction project provides significant value for districts. These services not only save money and time, but also ensure decisions are backed by expert advice, resulting in strong contracts that protect districts and their investments.

The Importance of Construction Audit Services

Construction programs for K-12 districts often involve multiple projects, several stakeholders, significant budgets, and intricate contracts often with differing terms and multiple contracted parties. With so much at stake, a robust audit process is essential. Here are some key ways audit and advisory services help districts navigate construction contracts and cost controls:

Expert Construction Contract Auditing & Management

Construction auditors provide a thorough review of contracts to ensure they are fair, legally enforceable, and aligned with the district’s best interests. By identifying potential risks and ambiguities early districts can avoid costly disputes and delays.

Fair & Transparent Contract Negotiations

Transparency in contract negotiations is critical for K-12 school districts. Auditors help in negotiating terms that are clear, equitable, and beneficial for all parties involved. This ensures that districts and their students receive the best value for their investments.

Comprehensive Post-Contract Auditing

After construction is completed, an in-depth audit ensures that districts only pay for services and materials that were physically provided. This post-contract review helps identify overcharges, billing errors, or compliance issues.

Cost Segregation Services for Tax Savings

Cost segregation analysis helps school districts maximize tax savings by properly classifying construction expenses. This financial strategy allows districts to allocate funds more effectively and enhance their overall budget efficiency.

Trusted Partners in Construction Cost Controls

A strong audit process establishes trust between school districts and contractors. By continuously monitoring expenses and project timelines, auditors help districts maintain financial oversight and accountability.

Construction Cost Claim Expertise

Disputes over construction costs can arise, but having experts who specialize in cost claims ensures that districts are well-prepared to handle any challenges. These professionals help in resolving disputes efficiently and fairly.

Partner with HPM for Trusted Construction Audit Services

With HPM, K-12 leaders gain a trusted partner with extensive experience in navigating construction financials efficiently, transparently, and profitably. Our expert audit services protect district investments, prevent financial pitfalls, and strengthen relationships with contractors. Reach out today to learn more.

Navigating the Demographic Cliff: How Educational Planners and K-12 Construction Management Experts Are Leading the Way

Posted on January 28, 2025

The term “Demographic Cliff”—referring to the anticipated decline in student populations across the U.S.—is no longer just a prediction. It’s a reality that’s reshaping the landscape of education. As educational planners and consultants specializing in K-12 construction management, we understand the critical role that long-range facility master planning plays in addressing these challenges. Thoughtful planning can guide districts toward cost-effective, community-supported solutions that align with their evolving needs.

The Origins of the Demographic Cliff

The roots of the demographic cliff trace back to the 2007 Great Recession when U.S. birth rates began a significant decline. The impact extends beyond K-12 education to higher education and the broader economy, contributing to a labor shortage not seen since the post-WWII era.

The severity of these changes varies geographically. While regions like the Northeast, Midwest, and West are experiencing pronounced declines, other areas face more nuanced demographic shifts.

Challenges in K-12 Construction Management

Demographic shifts present unique challenges for school districts and K-12 construction management professionals. These include:

Consolidating schools to optimize resources.

Deciding between renovating or replacing facilities.

Balancing short-term needs with long-term investments.

Building trust with communities during periods of uncertainty.

As districts reassess bond programs and update data annually rather than on traditional five-year cycles, they’re increasingly considering staffing resources, political environments, and localized economic factors.

For example, in urban districts from Texas to Georgia, population growth in cities hasn’t translated into public school enrollment increases. Established suburban districts face similar challenges, often owning extensive facilities that no longer align with current or projected student populations.

Urban District Consolidation

A large urban district recently embarked on a phased plan to consolidate, close, and expand over 11 million square feet of space. This involved closing 20+ campuses while ensuring fully resourced facilities across the district. By leveraging updated data and engaging the community through task forces and focus groups, the district balanced closures with expansions in growth areas.

Suburban Redistribution

In another district with 60 campuses, stagnant enrollment and shifting demographics have led to rebalancing grades and renovating facilities for new programs. Empty-nester neighborhoods require fewer student resources, necessitating strategic redistribution.

Rural-to-Suburban Transition

A smaller district of 9,500 students is navigating its shift from rural to suburban. Annual facility planning is essential as grade configurations and campus needs remain in flux. With rising construction and operational costs, building for potential future students is no longer feasible, making prudent planning more critical than ever.

The Path Forward: Adapting K-12 Construction Management

Every district’s path forward will differ, but the foundation remains the same: strategic short-term and long-term planning paired with continuous community engagement. K-12 construction management professionals are uniquely positioned to guide districts through these transitions, helping them adapt to demographic changes while maintaining trust and transparency.

While the challenges posed by the demographic cliff are significant, they are not insurmountable. With a proactive approach, school districts can ensure their facilities meet the needs of their students and communities, creating a sustainable future for education.

Interested in learning how planning can support your K-12 project? Explore our K-12 portfolio for a range of projects tailored to our clients’ needs for their Districts.

HPM Hires Cynthia Foteh as Director of Business Development

Posted on July 15, 2024

HPM has announced the hiring of Cynthia Foteh as the company’s newest Director of Business Development. Based in HPM’s Austin office, Foteh will oversee client-relationship management and spearhead new business initiatives in the Texas market as HPM continues to pursue projects in the region.

Foteh possesses more than 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors of the AEC industry, having held positions including Business Development Manager at Powers Brown Architecture and Director of Business Development at WGA Consulting Engineers. As Director of Business Development at HPM, she will lead business strategy and sales initiatives, aiming to expand the firm’s presence in Texas.

“I’m honored to step into this role at such a pivotal time, as HPM continues to expand its reach by offering premier program management services to high-profile clients across Texas,” said Foteh. “My passion for driving growth, fostering collaboration and building connections within this industry aligns with HPM’s mission and people-oriented values. I look forward to continuing to immerse myself in Texas-centric professional organizations and leadership communities, and to working alongside such a talented team as we expand our footprint across the state.”

Through her role, Foteh will aim to build and maintain relationships with clients, partners and stakeholders to deliver high-quality business solutions and strategies that meet the needs for quality program management services. She will focus on the education, municipal and manufacturing industries within Texas as she works to expand HPM’s portfolio.

“We are proud to welcome Cynthia to HPM, as her wealth of experience in AEC initiatives and ability to build meaningful relationships with clients will help us advance to the next stage of growth in Texas,” said Ryan Austin, HPM President. “It’s an exciting time for our firm, as we continue to expand into new markets and explore new sectors while strengthening our boots-on-the-ground efforts across the country. Cynthia will play a crucial role in ensuring this success and dedication to program management excellence continues for both our existing clients and those we will work with in the future.”

Round Rock ISD Breaks Ground on Early College High School

Posted on May 16, 2024

Round Rock ISD, HPM, Bartlett Cocke General Contractors, O’Connell Robertson have announced the groundbreaking of a $31 million facility for Early College High School (ECHS), an existing high school with more than 500 students in Round Rock, Texas. HPM will serve as program manager for the project.

ECHS provides an advanced curriculum at both the high school and college levels, allowing students the unique opportunity to prepare for careers directly out of high school or advancing them in their college credits. Currently, ECHS operates out of 10 portable buildings on Austin Community College’s Round Rock campus. This project will consolidate the students, staff and faculty into one 46,500-square-foot facility.

The new building will include classrooms and science labs, student breakout spaces, a cafeteria and central common area to accommodate 150 students, a fitness center, an administration suite, outdoor dining facilities, and study spaces. The site will also be located on Austin Community College’s Round Rock Campus on College Park Drive, allowing students easy access to both campus facilities.

“We are pleased to continue our legacy of providing premier program management services on K-12 initiatives with this meaningful, game-changing project for Round Rock ISD,” said HPM President, Ryan Austin. “Soon, ECHS students and faculty will have a state-of-the-art facility to call home that provides the nurturing, modernized learning environment needed to continue achieving the level of education they deserve. We are excited to work alongside Round Rock ISD and additional partners and look forward to announcing future milestones as progress advances.”

HPM will offer project management, quality control and preconstruction services for the project, ensuring budget and compliance is adhered to throughout construction. Bartlett Cocke General Contractors serves as the Construction Manager at-Risk collaborating with O’Connell Robertson as the architect of record for the school facility.

HPM Hosts Second Annual Georgia Education Executives Summit

Posted on May 1, 2024

April 24-26, executive leaders in Georgia education gathered for HPM‘s Second Annual Summit. School districts from across the state were represented at the event held in Adairsville. The Summit is a premier event designed to connect leaders in the K-12 industry to create unique strategies for navigating common challenges. Speakers included national experts in financing, staffing, planning and international business. Presenters shared insights on optimizing learning environments for students while maximizing facility lifespans.

About the Program

Featured keynote speakers included Cheryl Logan, Executive Director at the University of Pennsylvania and Casey Morris, Senior Director of Capital Planning at Ameresco. HPM’s Chris Allee, Megan Whitten Cordingly, Greg Ellis, Jake Ortego and Tracy Richter also shared best practices for navigating successful capital improvement programs. Each session was designed to foster a conversational, interactive environment to build connectivity among participants.

In a particularly insightful session highlighting program controls, attendees took an in-depth look at cutting-edge technology designed to empower leaders to make more informed decisions and better communicate with internal and external stakeholders. Embracing the digital world is paramount to achieving a successful program. Guests were also offered an approach to facility condition assessments that breaks the cyclical nature of facility planning. When implemented, this strategy enables K-12 leaders to create actionable, defensible and sustainable capital plans resulting in predictable outcomes.

The Summit’s closing session provided information on the role of educational facility standards in the development of an effective long-range facilities plan. These standards play a critical role in shaping the curriculum. Furthermore, they can be utilized to inform new construction, renovation and modernization, ultimately serving as a tool to generate improved educational performance.

“I was extremely satisfied with the quality of the content provided at The Summit,” said an attendee. “The Setting the Standard session brought everything together and was tremendously applicable. I am very likely to attend the event again and recommend that my peers in Georgia education do the same.”

Why HPM?

HPM partners with K-12 school districts to create and implement data-driven long-range planning initiatives. This team of seasoned planning professionals is comprised of former educators turned facilities conditions and assessment experts. They frequently teach the essential practice of integrated planning into capital improvement programs. HPM’s continuous planning practices consistently yield efficiencies and savings to K-12 clients. In turn, every dollar within a bond program is utilized to its full potential. Learn more about HPM’s extensive resume managing large-scale programs on behalf of K12 school districts.

Project Controls Manager Making Waves for Females in Construction

Posted on March 7, 2024

Project Controls Manager, Dr. Anusree Saseendran started her career with HPM as a Project Controls Intern in 2020. Today, she manages a $500 million budget, meticulously tracking and safeguarding the investments of her client. With a Ph.D. in Construction Management from Texas A&M University, Anu is uniquely equipped to position owners to realize their goals. To celebrate Women in Construction Week, we sat down with Anu to discuss her career journey.

What drew you to the industry? Did you have reservations about pursuing a career in construction as a woman?

My interest in the construction industry stemmed directly from my upbringing in the Middle East, where construction was unavoidable and ubiquitous. I was repeatedly cautioned against this because of the industry’s reputation for being unwelcoming toward women. Instead of deterring me, these warnings only fueled my determination to prove that I could succeed in it.

What do you enjoy most about your role?

In my role in Project Controls, I find immense satisfaction in working with numbers and spreadsheets. I gather data from various sources, process and analyze it in rows and columns, and piece it together like a puzzle to grasp the broader picture. This aspect of my work makes for a dynamic and engaging work environment where each day presents new and unique challenges — essentially, endless puzzles to solve! I also find great reward in the tangible, real-time impact of my efforts, such as streamlining processes and facilitating cost savings for the owner.

How have you overcome setbacks or stereotypes in a male-dominated industry?

One of the best pieces of advice that I have been given upon joining the construction workforce is ‘don’t be afraid to ask questions, but also educate yourself on the subject matter’. Oftentimes, there is a lot of focus on encouraging women to raise their hands more frequently and ask more questions. In my opinion, it is infinitely more important for each of us to be responsible for our continuous learning. It is up to us to stay curious and remain updated on the latest trends and best practices to remain competitive in our field. Asking questions is just one aspect of that. I have also found pursuing education and training opportunities offered both within HPM and externally to be immensely valuable.

What would you tell a young female considering a career in construction?

Be resilient: Recognize that the construction industry can be challenging at times, but don’t let setbacks or obstacles deter you from pursuing your goals. Give yourself permission to fail and learn from your mistakes.

Seek mentorship: Find mentors both within HPM and outside of it. This will help you learn about job opportunities, gain valuable insights, and expand your support system. Mentors can provide guidance, support, and advice as you navigate your career path.

Explore: The image that comes to mind when you think of a job in construction is that of a person wearing PPE on a jobsite. There is so much more to construction than sitework. Take the time to research different career paths within the industry. Find your passion and pursue opportunities that best fit your interests and skills.

What is your hope for the future of women in construction?

Working in construction has sometimes been an isolating experience for me as a woman. I hope that as more women pursue their careers in this field, and as the number of women in construction leadership positions increase, this issue becomes a thing of the past.

How are you uniquely able to make an impact on the industry as a female?

As a woman in a male-dominated industry, I am able to serve as an advocate for diversity, inclusion, and equity. By raising awareness of gender disparities and advocating for inclusive practices, I am helping to create a more equitable and welcoming industry for the future. Performing well and advancing in my career in construction enables me to inspire other women to follow in my path by challenging stereotypes and misconceptions about careers in construction.

Chambers County High School Breaks Ground Ending 50-Year Federal Order

Posted on February 27, 2024

Chambers County Schools, located in East Alabama held a groundbreaking ceremony for its new high school on Friday, February 23. The new facility merges Valley High School and Lafayette High School, creating the long-awaited Chambers County High School. The property is located on Ram Stadium Drive.

For 50 years, the county has been under a federal desegregation order. Superintendent, Casey Chambley has worked diligently to upend the order throughout his tenure. To move the district forward, the county’s school board procured HPM‘s planning department to develop a facilities master plan for a consolidated facility. HPM guided the district in terms of construction requirements, as well as the allocation of resources to ensure an optimal learning environment. The site selected by the board minimizes time spent on buses and maximizes instructional time.

As the process has evolved, HPM has managed the design, budget and preconstruction. The district hired Cooper Carry to serve as the architect of record for the school system.

Vice President of Business Development, Andi Sims joined city leaders to speak at the groundbreaking ceremony at the new property.

“I could not be any prouder to be on this journey with my friends –my people — as Chambers County looks toward a new history as the Fighting Falcons”, said Andi. “Thank you for bringing me and my HPM colleagues along for this exciting chapter in the life of our community.”

What Does a Field Coordinator Do?

Posted on February 21, 2024

The Ninjas of Program Management

HPM offers a unique approach to program management because of our construction origin. Born of an 80-year-old construction company, we are well-versed not only in managing projects, but also in constructing them. Essential in leveraging our construction management expertise on-site are our Field Coordinators. But just what does a Field Coordinator do? More than anything, their role is to protect the investment of the owner, serving as their eyes and ears on the project. The client’s interests are their interests, and the client’s priorities are their priorities. As the “boots on the ground”, their responsibilities can be summarized in three primary categories.

Schedule

Schedule delays are one of the most common and detrimental threats to construction projects. With a Field Coordinator on site, progress is measured daily. This provides project managers and project controls teams with up-to-date, accurate information to foster better planning, communication and courses for remedial action if necessary. Having a representative on site also provides a level of accountability for all parties working on the project. With clear milestones mapped out and regular assessments taking place, contractors and subcontractors are motivated to deliver projects on time.

Safety

Field Coordination entails a great deal of safety monitoring. Though safety is the ultimate responsibility of the General Contractor, Field Coordinators are there to ensure protocols are being strictly adhered to. This protects the owner from potential lawsuits. An important factor is ensuring the job site is safe, particularly when located in a highly trafficked area. For instance, HPM manages numerous projects for clients in the K-12 and higher education industries. On these projects, students and faculty are often attending classes near active job sites. Field Coordinators add tremendous value in implementing the highest level of safety precautions to protect everyone in the vicinity of the project.

Quality

Another risk accompanying construction projects is verifying the quality with which the project is built. The standard inspection processes employed on most projects require only bi-weekly or monthly walk-throughs. With a full-time Field Coordinator, these inspections happen daily. Even better, the FC walking the project is inspecting with the owner in mind. This means potential trouble spots are evaluated and reported daily, avoiding threats to quality that may be overlooked and cause headaches throughout the lifetime of a building. Having a Field Coordinator is a wise way to guarantee your facility goes beyond meeting a checklist and is built to last!

Lump Sum General Contractors… Yes or No?

Posted on January 29, 2024

When contracting for construction utilizing the CMAR approach most owners ask themselves if agreeing to a lump sum for general conditions type cost is the best contracting method. While there is not one answer to all questions, there should be a discussion of the pros and cons associated with payment plans for general conditions type costs.

Where to Start…

A great place to start is analyzing the reasons for selecting a fixed amount for GCs in the first place. Are these types of costs difficult to review, in that there are many small expenses? Are some of these costs difficult to understand, such as payroll burden and insurance? Might some of these costs, such as supervision and management, be subjective? Are we trying to eliminate the need to evaluate subjectivity?

Secondly, if we are going to specify a fixed amount for GCs, we must define General Conditions. Defining anything labeled as “General” takes work and specificity in order to ensure understanding.

Because there is no one “correct” approach, the question should not be binary (yes or no). There is a third option, Not to Exceed (NTE). NTE can be a good option in that the sum cannot be higher than, but could be less than, and can also be reviewed or audited if needed.

Factors to Consider

Without writing a dissertation on each of these points, it is important to consider problems that might arise from the lump sum GC’s method, along with other relevant factors.

Sure, invoices take time to review, and GC’s costs come with a lot of invoices. However, in some cases, not all invoices must be reviewed. Having the ability to review, but not the requirement, may be helpful.

Getting the lowest GC’s bid is occasionally a good thing, but having the best CM supervision is almost always a good thing. How many projects have gone awry because of excessive supervision or overly qualified personnel? A low bid for GCs (at least 50% complete supervision and management) positively correlates to less supervision and less experienced personnel. Incentivizing less supervision and experience is not our goal, but it may be the result.

There can be a case for certain types of GC’s costs being subjective. Mostly, off-site vs. on-site persons as reimbursable. This can be mitigated by making the dividing line clear in your contract and including that contract in your RFP.

In addition to the possible misaligned goals of the owner and CM with low bid GCs, another result of an LS GC’s approach could be a CM shifting GC’s type costs to the Cost of Work, either in a subcontract or in self-performed work.

Transparency is Key

Lastly, what starts as fixed, doesn’t always remain fixed. Having full transparency to actual costs when a claim for additional GCs arises might be helpful.

When we have these discussions (which are quite frequent), we agree with the CM that the Lump Sum is not adjustable. This, however, does not mean that it is not auditable. Also, just because the CM (at the moment) might think that certain costs are not reimbursable doesn’t mean that they are not project-related records that are auditable by the Owner’s accountants.

Why Does this Matter?

You may ask, “Why do we care, as long as we are not being charged any more than we agreed to and if they aren’t going to bill us that cost?” There are many reasons, including:

Credits related to the reimbursable Cost of Work may be miscoded to the LS or not reimbursable job cost (accidentally, of course), thereby inflating the Cost of Work.

Costs that are to be apportioned to the lump sum and to the reimbursable cost may only be charged to the reimbursable cost (again, an oversight). Having access to all the cost records would make such errors easy to spot (Dumpsters for demo work vs. dumpsters for new construction trash, where demo work is being self-performed on a lump sum basis).

Costs that are charged to non-reimbursable may point to other errors, like consultants being billed as employees (at fixed labor rates), or rental equipment from third parties being charged as if it were owned by the CM.

Illegal expenditures may be hidden in LS or non-reimbursable job costs.

As you are contemplating the above, also contemplate that well over 50% of the time, a review of the project records designated by the CM to be LS or not reimbursable indicates that credits are owed to reimbursable Cost of Work that would have not been discovered otherwise.