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Board approves Columbia change orders, energy contracts and state-funded modular at SMOY
Summary
Kings Local board authorized two construction change orders for the Columbia project, approved district energy purchasing contracts and signed off on a state-funded modular replacement at SMOY; construction manager said the Columbia slab is poured and the project is a week ahead of schedule.
The Kings Local Board of Education approved two construction change orders for the Columbia Intermediate project, authorized district energy purchases and approved the installation of a state-funded modular classroom at SMOY, district staff said.
Superintendent Sears and Treasurer Morrow told the board that change order No. 1 added about 1,400 tons of gravel to address subsurface conditions under a playground area and that, after built-in budget offsets, the net cost to the project is roughly $14,000. Change order No. 2 addressed lighting and permit-driven door adjustments on the back side of the new addition.
Project representative Matt Lucky reported the slab has been poured and that work was running about a week ahead of schedule; framing and steel components were expected to begin shortly. Morrow said the Columbia project budget includes about $375,000 in contingency funds set aside for items such as these change orders and that both district and contractor contingencies were used before asking the board to approve net changes.
On energy purchasing, the treasurer said the district spends about $700,000 a year on electricity and that market conditions currently offer an attractive time to lock in longer-term supply. He said the recommended contracts would lower natural-gas costs about 5 percent from the district’s current contract and lock electricity at about a 6 percent increase for a two-year term; the board approved the purchase to secure price stability.
The board also approved a state-approved replacement of a 26-year-old modular unit at SMOY; the district will purchase the unit upfront and receive state reimbursement in two payments (one when the unit arrives on site and the balance at completion), Morrow said. He told the board the replacement carries no net cost to the district once state reimbursement is received.
Morrow presented a draft construction change-order policy that would permit limited administrative approval by the treasurer and superintendent to avoid unnecessary delays on time-sensitive items; he said any significant cost items would still be brought to the full board for approval. Board members asked clarifying questions about budget offsets, contingency use and project timing before voting to approve the items.
