This July, the Hooksett School Board’s Facilities Subcommittee will begin a key phase of its restructured school renovation process and the public is invited to take part. Community members will have the opportunity to attend and observe interviews with potential firms, ensuring transparency and input as the committee selects a company to lead the next steps.

The Hooksett School Board’s Facilities Subcommittee has been hard at work retooling its approach in response to the March vote, where proposed upgrades to Hooksett Memorial School were not approved. In April, the subcommittee decided to reset the process entirely to better meet the needs of the community and achieve a stronger outcome in the next voting cycle.

One of the committee’s first decisions was to expand membership in order to incorporate a broader range of perspectives and expertise particularly in facilities, maintenance, and construction. The subcommittee has grown to 18 members: 11 community members, 3 school board members, and 4 district administrators.

After assessing capacity within the district, it was determined that a general contractor is still necessary to oversee the project. The district lacks the internal manpower to manage the level of work anticipated. A team of new and existing committee members reviewed the original Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and recommended shifting the focus from an energy performance contract to a design-build RFQ. This revised RFQ was finalized and sent to 13 qualified firms across New Hampshire.

Unlike the previous two-week window, the committee has extended the RFQ response period to over a month. Responses are due by July 1, 2025. The committee will review all submissions at their meeting on July 7, and the top candidates will be invited for interviews on July 14 at 6:00 p.m. at David R. Cawley Middle School. These interviews are open to the public and will be recorded for later viewing.

A final recommendation will be presented to the full Hooksett School Board on July 22.

The goal is to partner with a general contractor who will perform open-market bidding for each component of the project, identify cost-saving opportunities, and help the district prioritize infrastructure needs through a clearly defined scope and sequence matrix. This fast-track timeline aims to allow the selected contractor to assess all school facilities over the summer and return with a comprehensive proposal including projected costs by October.

The Facilities Subcommittee also plans to host public meetings this fall to share findings, explain the matrix, and gather community feedback on the size and scope of the proposed project. This community input will help shape what is ultimately presented on the 2026–2027 ballot.

To learn more about the Facilities Subcommittee’s ongoing work, or to view the current RFQ and list of companies contacted, please visit:
https://hooksett.sau15.net/hooksett-school-board-proposed-building-renovation-project/