Board OKs $247,818 change order for Hughes Elementary roof after unexpected gypsum decking

The Marshall Public Schools Board of Education on July 21 approved an additional $247,818.07 to the previously authorized Hughes Elementary roofing contract after the roofing contractor discovered the building has poured gypsum decking that cannot reliably accept mechanically attached roofing fasteners.

Staff told trustees that the project team worked with Tremco technical staff and determined the originally specified mechanically attached system would not meet wind-uplift requirements on the existing gypsum decking. The vendor recommended switching to a fully adhered roofing system, which requires additional Tremco materials and additional labor from Modern Roofing. Staff identified two line-item increases in the meeting record: $52,397.07 for materials from WTI and $195,004.21 for labor from Modern Roofing; the transcript states the combined change order added $247,818.07 and that the total will be paid from the sinking fund.

Board members asked about why the condition was not identified earlier. Staff said prior nuclear scans were performed with one core taken in a wet area; those scans are about 90% reliable, and the single core did not reflect the gypsum; once the stone surfacing was stripped, crews found gypsum underlayment in areas that would not hold screws. Board members discussed increasing core sampling on future projects to reduce the risk of surprises.

The motion to approve the change order was made by Secretary Derek Allen and seconded by Trustee Dr. Lauren Brown. The board approved the change order by voice vote.

The district did not record a revised overall project completion date in the meeting transcript. The board said the additional cost will be covered from the sinking fund.