Palm Beach School Board Acquisition of Relocatable Classrooms Examined. OPPAGA Special Review.

This report, responding to a Florida legislative request, examines the Palm Beach County School Board's planned purchase of concrete relocatable classrooms. The report presents a number of findings and recommendations. Concrete units are more expensive than models with metal stud walls; both types meet state building code standards. The district plans to spend $35 million over 5 years to purchase 500 concrete relocatables. The district's purchase price for concrete relocatables is higher than prices for similar units in other districts. Concrete relocatables are more expensive to purchase and move than alternative types of relocatables, but have the appearance of permanent construction and may have a longer life. If the district purchases 500 concrete units as planned, it will spend approximately $12.7 million more for these units over the 5-year period than if it had bought metal stud wall units. In addition, it costs $1,150 more to move a concrete unit to another location than a metal stud unit. The district reasoned that concrete units were more durable and safer. However, the district did not conduct a life-cycle cost analysis prior to its decision. To better justify future relocatable expenditures, the report recommends that the board conduct life cycle cost analyses to compare available relocatables. (EV)