Board accepts Woodrow Wilson Middle School project as complete to start state fiscal closeout

The Board of Education voted unanimously July 22 to accept the Woodrow Wilson Middle School state project 18DASYC0830116N as complete, a step district staff said is necessary to start the state fiscal closeout and release eligible retainage to the city.

Marco Gelo told the board the district received a June 2 letter from the City of Middletown’s Woodrow Wilson Middle School Building Committee chair, Gina Sarah, advising that the project was complete with no open purchase orders or ongoing warranty or punch-list work outstanding. The board then moved and approved a resolution accepting the state project as complete.

Board members raised a record-keeping question after the motion: because the school’s name had been changed since the project began, how will future records indicate the renaming? Marco Gelo and another staff member said they had contacted the state; the state requires the acceptance to use the original project name Woodrow Wilson Middle School and the original state project number “because it is written in statute that way.” The board’s members noted the historical concern but the board proceeded with acceptance to allow staff to upload final financial documentation.

Gelo explained that once the board confirms completion, the district will upload final financials and the resolution to the state. The state will review documentation, may request follow-up from the district, and then proceed with fiscal closeout; retainage is held by the state pending final assessment and, if items are eligible, reimbursement to the city will follow the state’s final review.

The motion to accept the project was moved by Liz Crooks and seconded by Liz (Brooks/Brooks recorded in transcript); Joyce conducted a roll-call vote with all members present voting in favor. After the vote the board adjourned.