Central renovation on track but inspectors and contractors uncover extra repairs; board hears update

District construction managers told the board the Central building renovation contract work is progressing and that contractors and architects are responding to unanticipated conditions discovered when crews opened ceilings and walls.

Neil Offerman, the district—s senior project manager and on-site construction lead, and Brian Amer, the district—s director of facilities management, briefed trustees on recent inspections and conversations with structural engineers. They said initial contract work is "going very well" and that the construction manager and contractors are coordinating weekly and daily on-site meetings to track progress and resolve newly exposed conditions.

Administrators described specific items found during demolition and inspection: in some classrooms the ceiling framing required revised plans and structural engineering review; in a prominent area called the Veterans Foyer, removal of original molded plaster uncovered water supply piping that previously had no ready access for inspection and repair. The team said further inspections are scheduled and that, where practical, doing additional remediation now while scaffolding is in place is the most cost-effective approach.

"While we're working on these spaces and while we have our scaffolding up and our shoring up, you're kinda getting the best bang for your buck if there is a change order," the construction manager said during the meeting. He added that a portion of the project includes allowances for probable repairs, and the team expects to keep total change orders within the approved contingency; the administration said the board would be asked to approve any work that increases project cost more than the district—s 10% contingency threshold.

The board heard that contractors are working seven days a week through the middle of August to meet schedule goals. The district—s construction manager also noted that certain elements of the project were under budget so far and that documentation and frequent photo records are being kept to support payments and future reference.

Two summer interns working with the construction manager—s office, identified as Jocelyn Casey and Liam Zimmerman, described their on-site experiences and said routine documentation (photos, notes) and daily conversations with foremen and engineers were valuable learning opportunities. Administration said the partnership with Berglund (the construction manager) included paid internships to give students real-world exposure.

Trustees asked whether the Regional Office of Education (ROE) final inspections and permit closeouts were scheduled; administration confirmed the ROE inspection for final permit closeout has been scheduled and would be completed before school reopens. Administration also reiterated that substantial work will continue in August and that the team would notify the board if the project were to exceed the 10% contingency and require a formal board authorization vote.

Board members raised the recurring public concern about change orders and whether additional repairs are appropriate for a building that may be reviewed in longer-term facility planning. Administration responded that the district has repeatedly heard from the community that existing facilities should be improved while limiting additional tax impact, and that performing logical, on-site remediation when contractors already have access minimizes incremental cost compared with reopening areas later.