FWCS hires firm to help with $119M project

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) - In May, taxpayers approved funds for Fort Wayne Community Schools to fix more than 30 schools in dire need of repair. Monday night the school board approved the hiring of a firm to plan the projects. It will also help meet the deadline and stay within the $119 million budget.

"There had to be elections taken, votes taken and then the process begins where we formulate how we're going to do the project. So, rather than just dive in and try to do anything this complex it has to be rolled out in a certain order," FWCS Board President Mark GiaQuinta explained.

The Dublin, Ohio firm will serve as the project manager. The company will focus on what needs immediate attention.

Not everyone was happy with the decision.

"We're told one thing and then it turns out to be the total opposite," taxpayer Angie Hayden Sutton said.

Sutton claimed taxpayers were promised their dollars would go back into a local firm.

"Fort Wayne Community Schools was asking the community to invest in the infrastructure of the buildings would remain within the community to help strengthen the local economy."

GiaQuinta said there was never a promise that every dollar of the $119 million would be spent on local firms. He also told NewsChannel 15 it was important to the board to hire a firm that isn't local.

"That's why we did what we did tonight. We brought in a referee who will make the decisions based on what's best for the taxpayer and not based on what's best for a personal friend, acquaintance or business relationship."

GiaQuinta said the firm will hire the best construction companies for the job which could mean local people put to work.

The school board will set a deadline for the project on Sept. 10.