Board approves bond-program change orders, accepts Taylor Enterprises bid for fieldhouse work

At the Dec. 12 meeting the board heard a detailed bond-program update from Ryan Smith of Volkert and approved a set of capital project actions including acceptance of a low bid and multiple change orders.

Smith reported status on gym renovations at East St. John and West St. John high schools, scoreboards and track/field repairs, and outlined construction work under way (steel framing, lighting and deferred-maintenance packages). The packet lists project budgets and milestones: for example, gym renovation line items ($598,200 and $498,200), baseball/softball scoreboards ($140,674), track and field repairs ($780,000), a new gym and security upgrades (project budgets shown at $4,477,695 and $4,037,400 for distinct schools), and a security/deferred-maintenance package of $3,987,000. The new field house low bid by Taylor Enterprises was listed at $3,795,000; after architect value-engineering deducts of $167,747 the contract value would be $3,627,253 if accepted.

The board waived policy to amend the agenda and accepted Taylor Enterprises' bid for the WSJH fieldhouse change order (motion passed with nine yeas and two absent). The board then approved Change Orders 001 through 004 for improvements at WSJE, GMMS, ESJP and LPE, including funding for millwork replacement, playground improvements and allowances for moving services; Change Order 003 was approved with the addition of inclusive equipment to provide sensory and wheelchair accessibility. The change orders and bid acceptance were recorded by roll-call votes in the minutes.

The bond update also noted near-complete work on other renovations, temporary occupancy for West St. John high gym and a December ribbon-cutting at East St. John. The board's approvals allow contractors to proceed with the specified change-order work; project managers and the superintendent will continue oversight and report progress back to the board.