Fraser Board hears bond-project updates; RMS change order up to $150,000 proposed

The Fraser Board of Education received updates July 14 on bond-funded facilities work, including paving, roofing and lighting upgrades at multiple schools and a proposed change order for Richards Middle School.

Jim Birko, operations and maintenance director, told the board that custodial crews are moving through the district and that Fraser High School paving is progressing. "The group of custodians are moving through all the schools," Birko said. He added that the Garfield parking lot will be finished this week, traffic will shift to the new lot, and the Klein lot will be removed and replaced. He said roofing work at Emerson and Disney schools and lighting upgrades there are nearly complete.

At the Building and Site committee report, members described installation obstacles affecting about 15 air handlers in the Richards Middle School ceiling — conflicts with plumbing, fire suppression and electrical systems — and said the original bid package totaled $4.6 million. The committee proposed a change order not to exceed $150,000 to address those issues and also recommended replacing leaking gym windows with solid panels; those change orders will be presented to the full board for approval at the August meeting.

The board did not take a final vote on the change orders in the July meeting. Committee members emphasized that the change-order work is tied to the bond schedule and will be brought forward with recommended documentation in August.