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Board extends Kentwood High magnet project deadline after dispute over tile lead times
Summary
The board amended and approved a change order extending the Kentwood High magnet roofing contract by additional days after contractors cited six‑month lead times for custom clay tiles; members debated whether the requested 359 days was excessive and settled on an amended 320‑day extension.
The Tangipahoa Parish School Board on June 24 approved a change order adding time to the Kentwood High magnet roofing contract after contractor Roofing Solutions requested an extension tied mostly to long supplier lead times for custom clay roof tiles.
Board members spent more than an hour questioning the requested 359‑day extension and whether the contractor had ordered tiles promptly. School construction staff and the contractor’s representative said the bulk of the requested additional time reflects supplier lead time — a six‑month (about 180‑day) wait for specially manufactured tiles — plus time for demolition and installation once materials arrive. The district’s construction supervisor and a contractor representative told the board the tile order was placed in January and suppliers estimated approximately six months for production and delivery.
Board members raised several concerns: whether liquidated damages would apply if the project ran past the revised completion date; whether the contractor had used previously allotted contract days before ordering materials; and whether granting a long extension would allow the contractor to prioritize other work and delay completion. One member noted the original contract allowed 120 days; another argued the contractor should only receive the number of days tied directly to supplier delay. Members also asked whether demolition could proceed before tiles arrived (staff warned that demo before material delivery could create additional problems).
After debate, a board motion amended the requested extension from 359 days to 320 days and the board approved the change order as amended. A staff speaker explained the amendment did not include additional overhead or other costs — it was strictly a time extension — and said crews would remobilize Dec. 30 per the updated schedule. The transcript records the motion to amend (change the extension to 320 days), a second and the vote; the chair announced “motion carries.”
The district noted most other roof work on the contract is already complete; the tile replacement and an associated flat SBS roof remain. Board members asked staff to monitor deliveries and contractor scheduling closely and said they expect the contractor to complete the remaining work promptly once tiles arrive.
