Construction update: JH/Lee project nears finishes as board approves change orders

Project representatives told the Pender County Board of Education that the JH/Lee campus is approaching the finish stage of construction: exterior masonry and windows are being completed, athletic fields are graded and will receive lighting soon, and permanent power for the building was scheduled to be energized within days. Drone photos and BIM comparisons were used to show recent progress.

Budget and change orders: The presenter reviewed a batch of PCOs (107–120). Highlights included a canopy package (PCO 109) totaling approximately $373,863, a DOT road‑widening PCO (PCO 110) that is bid competitively and expected to be reimbursable, and a substantial credit (PCO 111) of about $1.4 million from subcontractor allowance reconciliation (less undercut than anticipated). PCO 112 (roughly $126,000) covered revisions for EC classroom space, including an ADA‑compliant Hoyer lift system, an accessible break room and associated electrical and casework changes.

Board action: After presentation and Q&A, the board approved the change orders as presented. Staff said owner contingency was being used in part to fund road‑widening work that will be submitted for DOT reimbursement; board members asked for transparency on contingency allocations and expected reimbursement timing.

What to watch next: Staff expects brick and windows to be finished in the coming weeks, metal wall panels and ACM to be complete soon after, and ceiling grid/major interior finishes to follow once temporary environmental controls are in place. The district is evaluating temporary HVAC options to protect equipment during finishes and will coordinate commissioning and equipment startups.

Votes and approvals: The board approved multiple change orders and payouts for the project (Bordeaux and MVP payout applications and the change order package), all recorded as unanimous in the meeting transcript.