Board discusses $16,165 change order for middle‑school countertop; no final approval tonight

Shippensburg Area School District officials presented a construction change order related to middle‑school work after demolition revealed gaps that made the originally planned countertop and exterior finishings unsuitable, the superintendent told the board on June 16.

Superintendent Terry August said SiteLogic and ECI negotiated a change order for $16,165 to address a new countertop installation and exterior insulation finish system (EIFS) touch‑ups that were missed in the drawings. “When they removed it, they found some additional problems, and the counter that was going to go in was not gonna work,” August said.

Board members discussed whether to amend tonight’s agenda to approve the change order immediately or defer formal approval until the next meeting. Some members said the district’s change‑order line had budgeted funds and that keeping the project moving was important; others asked for more review. “I’d like to look over this a little bit more,” one board member said. A district staff member said the project could be delayed about two weeks if the work does not proceed now.

No motion to approve the change order was made at the meeting. Board members and administrators said the change order would be brought forward for action when facilities‑committee members can vet it; in the meantime the district will notify contractors of the discussion. Superintendent August identified the change‑order amount and described the negotiation between the construction manager and the contractor; the board heard that the cost would be paid from the project’s change‑order line and that the project has not had many prior change orders.

The committee did not approve the change order during the Committee of the Whole; members asked that facilities‑committee input be included before formal board action.