Board approves $87,247 change order for South Campus construction; district weighs remaining risks

The Board of Education of Lyons Township High School District 204 on Aug. 18 approved a change order adding $87,247.27 to the HAP Builders contract for South Campus work, raising the contract total to $30,597,247.27. District representatives said the change order covers multiple itemized adjustments discovered during construction, including floor preparation where old subfloors were uneven and masonry winter protection after a delayed start. DLA Architects representatives (Ed Wright and John Morawski) and district project staff described the work during the meeting and answered board questions. Board members asked about project contingencies and remaining exposures. Administration said the original contract included a $250,000 allowance for unforeseeable conditions built into the project budget; the approved change order pushed the project beyond that allowance. Officials flagged a potential additional exposure: an older sanitary pipe beneath the new hallway that may be blocked or collapsed and may require repair after a camera inspection. Project staff cautioned that more change orders are likely before construction completes; they noted some later items will be deductive but that other necessary repairs — including additional floor prep in area G and possible sanitary-pipe work — could increase costs further. The board approved the change order by roll call. No final completion date or final cost was announced; the district said it is tracking both deductive and additive change orders as work progresses.