The controversial Amicks Ferry school will cost millions more than needed.

That’s the contention of a District 5 board member.

In an open letter, Ken Loveless criticized plans for the elementary School.

Board Chairman Robert Gantt responded that Loveless’s letter contains inaccuracies and misconceptions. His response is on page A3.

Loveless contends that:

• The board agreed to sell $30 million in taxpayer-financed bonds for the school over his and trustee Jan Hammond’s objections.

• The district last year paid $100,000 for an M.B. Kahn Construction analysis – a wish list that could have been done at no cost.

• The report identified almost $7 million in safety issues to address immediately.

• The board wants to start building the school without a guaranteed maximum price, guessing at a $24 million cost and negotiating with a preferred contractor.

• Drawings and contracts are not yet complete.

• Design fees are another $1,620,000, other costs about $750,000 and land $1 million for a total of about $27.4 million.

• The US median price for a 105,000-square-foot elementary school is $19.6 million, $7.8 million less than the district plans.

• Last year, North Carolina’s average elementary school was 119,532 square feet or 14,532 square feet more than Amicks Ferry and cost only $22.3 million.

“We plan to spend $24 million for 105,000 square feet,” he wrote.

“Our new school will have a capacity of 650 children on 2 floors. The wasted space for stairways and the like reduces the usable square footage.”

• Due to low building costs here, the district will spend $4.4 million more than the national average, according to a consulting firm.

• At $30 million, the bond amount, it’s $8 million more than the national average.

Loveless said a 2008 bond referendum included a new elementary school that wasn’t built and the money was used elsewhere.

“We should put the brakes on this plan, debate how much should reasonably be spent ... and put the remainder of the $30 million into much needed safety.”

Loveless said the board has little power and are only told of leadership’s plans just before meetings.