Bethany Public Schools Board of Education on Tuesday approved Change Order No. 1 to its athletic track construction work with Lingo, adding $53,598.95 to the project budget.

The change order covers an increased track width and lane adjustments, relocation of existing bleachers and the press box, and replacement pole-vault/long-jump equipment. Troy, the project presenter, said the work is about one-third complete and that crews planned to begin asphalt in early July and track surfacing in mid-August after a 30–45 day cure period for the asphalt.

The board heard details about specific scope changes. Troy said the contractor widened lanes by one inch and added two sets of 4-inch buffers, “so we widened the overall track surface,” which raised asphalt and surfacing costs. He said the extra work allowed the team to reduce the outside concrete width from 20 inches to 16 inches and that the net additional cost from the described changes was $15,775. Troy also described separate costs for relocating the bleachers and press box, which he said totaled about $27,898 and were added back into construction when the district decided not to purchase new home bleachers.

Troy described other line items included in the change order: replacement of the pole-vault “jump box” and a long-jump board, and new equipment rather than salvaging old items. He said some small budget savings were available after removing design and electrical work that was no longer required (approximately $5,000 and $7,500, respectively) and modest savings from construction materials testing, but the owner’s contingency—previously about $30,000—was largely consumed by the change order.

A board member asked whether the pad on the east side would receive new bleachers; Troy said that elevated seating there is being considered but is not part of the current change order. He also said the district purchased a larger storage container to store pole-vault mats when not in use.

After discussion, a motion to approve the athletics-track change order was made and seconded. The board recorded the vote in roll call as Callman: yes; Yates: yes; Pettit: yes; Walstead: yes. The chair announced the motion carried.

The district plans to complete critical bleacher and press-box moves in August so track surfacing can be finished before the fall football season. Troy said final completion was targeted between Aug. 15 and Aug. 29, subject to asphalt-emission testing and the curing window.

The board packet included a signed change order for review and the construction manager said additional minor change orders (for field goals and added padding) may follow; the superintendent and project staff said they would notify the board and could use an email ballot or a special meeting if a new change order required faster action.

The approved change order and the project schedule together mean the district will proceed with the revised track and facility layout while monitoring contingencies and minor outstanding items.