Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Facilities Roofing topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
School board hires independent roofing consultant after troubled $1.6 million project
Summary
Richmond Community Schools trustees voted unanimously to hire MK International to perform a two‑phase independent evaluation of a roof project that has encountered quality and timing problems; phase 1 is estimated at $13,840 with a possible $7,080 follow-up.
The Richmond Community Schools Board of Trustees voted 7-0 Wednesday to engage MK International, a third‑party construction consultant, to perform an independent evaluation of problems identified in the district’s recent roofing project.
The board meeting transcript shows a staff presenter told trustees the roof project “has not been as smooth as we would have liked,” citing visible rippling, loose shingles and timing issues that prevented completion before the school year began. The presenter said the district may pursue “adversary proceedings” including claims on the performance bond or surety depending on findings.
Trustees were presented with a two‑phase plan from MK International. Phase 1, described in the staff presentation, is an initial evaluation priced at $13,840 to assess visible problems and determine whether further investigation is needed. A second phase, if required, was quoted at $7,080; the presenter said the second phase “may not happen.” The combined total cited in the presentation was approximately $20,920.
The presenter identified the district’s architect on the project as LWC, with Mr. McCurdy named as the lead architect who located MK International. The presenter said two contractor pay applications have already been paid and a third pay application is being held pending architect approval.
Board members moved and seconded a motion to engage MK International for phase 1 of the evaluation and to authorize district officers to execute the engagement agreement. After reopening the public comment period for that item, the board approved the engagement by voice vote recorded as passing 7-0.
The staff presenter told trustees the district is retaining the consultant to establish whether there are specification, compliance or workmanship issues that could justify withholding final payment or pursuing contractual remedies. The presenter said retaining an independent expert is intended to inform any further action but did not state that the district has made any claim or reached a determination of contractor fault.
The trustee discussion included references to the project budget and to the possibility that contract terms could require reimbursement of investigative costs if contractor fault is established, but the presenter emphasized those outcomes were not certain. The board did not approve any contractor termination or initiate litigation during the meeting; the action was limited to hiring the independent evaluator and authorizing execution of the engagement agreement.
District officials said no payment had been made for the MK International engagement at the time of the vote and that continuation to phase 2 would depend on phase 1 findings. The presenter described the original roofing budget as roughly $1.6 million but cautioned that final liabilities and contract remedies remained under review.
