School districts across Ohio are under pressure to deliver modern, safe, and functional learning environments while being fiscally responsible. Too often, traditional construction methods expose boards to the “owner’s liability gap,” where costly change orders and disputes fall back on the district. A growing number of districts across the nation are finding that the design-build method with one accountable team closes that gap. An Indiana school district, Avon Community School Corporation’s story, is proof: six ribbon cuttings, completed on time and on budget, with no change orders.
The Accountability Challenge
When boards and superintendents prepare for a major capital project, much of the early discussion centers on costs, timelines, and design. But beneath those details lies a larger question: Who is truly accountable for delivering on the promise made to the community?
Traditional construction shares responsibility across multiple design and construction contracts. That division may not be recognized, but it instantly creates what is often called the owner’s liability gap. When unexpected issues surface—design omissions, unforeseen site conditions, constructability issues, scope disputes—the architect and contractor may point fingers at one another. Too often, the district is left in the middle, absorbing additional costs through change orders and facing the difficult task of explaining overruns to taxpayers.
A Different Way Forward
Design -build procurement offers a different approach to planning, design, and construction. Rather than asking a district to manage two or more separate contracts and mediate disputes, design-build places responsibility with a single contract and team from the very beginning. The practical difference becomes clear once planning begins.
In a traditional construction model, architects may create a design that fits the educational goals, but if estimates later reveal that costs are higher than expected, the district is forced back to the drawing board. Valuable time is lost, and community trust can be shaken. With design-build, planning and budgeting happen in tandem. The same team of architects, engineers, and builders sit at the same table from the start, so the educational vision and financial discipline move forward together.
This integrated approach also minimizes the risk of mid-project surprises. When the whole team collaborates from the beginning, potential issues can be anticipated and resolved before construction ever begins. The district no longer determines who is at fault or whether a change order will appear because accountability is clear and rests with the design builder. In short, design-build closes the liability gap by unifying responsibility, allowing school leaders to focus on what matters most.
Avon, Indiana Community School Results: On Time, On Budget
Avon Community School Corporation in Indiana offers a great example. Facing rapid growth, Avon launched an ambitious plan to realign grade levels, build a new middle school, renovate the high school, and expand/reconfigure elementary and intermediate campuses.
The outcome was extraordinary. In a single summer, Avon celebrated six ribbon cuttings. The high school project was carefully completed while students remained on site, and every project was finished on time and on budget. Most strikingly, Avon achieved this with no change orders in the agreed scope of work.
A visit to Avon led by Superintendent Dr. Scott Wyndham showed how seamlessly the new construction connected with the existing building, creating one unified space for students. Project managers and construction team members were addressing final punch-list items, a reflection of their commitment to detail and quality. The sense of pride was evident—not just in the facilities, but in the process that delivered them.
For Avon, a design-to-budget collaborative process and “no change orders” meant no surprise costs, no disputes, and no liability gap falling back on the board. As Board President Kim Woodward noted, the district received exactly what was promised.
Their experience is best told in their own words, through a short video that highlights the voices of Kim Woodward, the superintendent, and educators:
Avon Community School Corporation: A Design-Build Transformation
The Takeaway
Capital projects are among the most significant investments a district can make. They shape not only the learning environment, but also community trust in school leadership. Choosing a delivery method that eliminates the owner’s liability gap and prioritizes accountability is essential. Avon School’s success shows what is possible: school facilities delivered on time, on budget, and with no change orders.