The O'Fallon Township High School District 203 board decided to table a planned security-entrance project after bid results came back substantially above the expected budget.

Background and bid results: Board members and facilities staff discussed a security/entrance project that had been planned for summer work. Administration said the project returned one bid at about $150,000 — approximately three times the budgeted amount of $50,000. Facilities committee members said the scope that went to bid included elements they had not understood would be required.

Facilities-chair concerns and communication: The facilities committee chair expressed frustration about a breakdown of communication. "I'm very disappointed in what transpired during this project ... none of that information got back to us," the committee chair said, asking staff to explain why the bid package included unexpected items. District staff acknowledged that the project pace and evolving scope contributed to the miscommunication and said the project would be re-scoped to meet the goal of a secure entrance while seeking lower-cost options.

Why it matters: The board indicated it still wants the secure-entrance goal met but needs a scope and bid package that matches available funding. Board members emphasized tightened capital budgets and said every $100,000 counts. Administration said the project will be revisited; the board is seeking clearer interim reporting from facilities staff when scopes change between committee review and bidding.

Next steps: The board tabled the bid and directed staff to revisit the scope, communicate changes to the facilities committee and rebid or reallocate next-year funds depending on options that meet the security objective at a lower cost.

Ending: The item remains active and will return to the facilities committee and the board with revised scope and cost estimates for further action.