Newport Daily News NEWPORT— Escalating construction prices in the pandemic era are putting a damper on the city’s plans for a new high school and an eight-classroom addition to the elementary school. The first indication of the seriousness of the problem came this week when the estimated construction costs for the Pell Elementary School addition came in much higher than expected. Those costs were compiled by Behan Bros of Middletown, the designated general contractor for the job. “It seems to have gotten worse although the pandemic is winding down,” said School Committee member Rebecca Bolan, who is co-chairwoman of the 22-member School Building Committee that includes city officials and members of the community.