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Board receives bond-construction updates; approves playground, camera and intercom change orders
Summary
Administrators updated the board on ongoing bond projects and secured approvals for several capital purchases and change orders including a $320,696 playground, security camera and intercom change orders for a Martinsburg High School addition, and continued mowing vendor selection.
BERKELEY COUNTY, W.Va. — On June 2 Berkeley County Schools staff updated the Board of Education on the district’s bond construction portfolio, reporting progress on multiple school projects and asking the board to approve several contract awards and change orders tied to current additions and renovations.
Project updates: Bond project managers showed progress on multiple active builds including Henderson Early Learning Academy (steel and roof structure in place, waiting on a FirstEnergy approval for one corner), Tomahawk Intermediate (on schedule for July completion), Martinsburg High School band-room and auditorium reconfiguration, and Mountain Ridge Primary site work and foundation preparation. Administrators said 87 of 112 bond projects are complete and about 25 remain active.
Playground award: The board approved a low bid from Bluegrass Recreation for the Mountain Ridge Primary playground system — a themed play area sized for school use with rubber mulch surfacing — at $320,696.63, under the $350,000 budgeted for the school’s playground. The contract uses cooperative purchasing and the scope excludes a pour‑in‑place safety surface (rubber mulch specified).
Security and intercom change orders: To complete the Martinsburg High School addition, the board approved two change orders: Atlantic Security to extend the district’s camera system into the addition for $16,350, and Teleplus to complete the intercom system and office call switches for $55,671.52. Administrators said the base construction contract assigned certain owner responsibilities to the district; these change orders extend contracts from earlier districtwide security and intercom procurements so the new addition uses the same systems.
Mowing contract: The board approved a multi-site grounds‑maintenance bid (Made in the Shade) to continue countywide mowing through the fall; staff estimated the mowing contract for July–November at roughly $207,000 and noted the vendor was the current provider. Questions from board members focused on communication about mowing schedules and oversight by maintenance staff.
Why it matters: The bond program covers major facility updates and capacity additions that affect school operations and long-term maintenance budgets. The playground award and security/intercom change orders are near-term capital expenses that must align with the district’s construction schedule to avoid delays.
What’s next: Project teams will continue summer work; administrators said they will provide more detailed bond-tracker summaries (allocated vs. spent) at the board’s request and will follow up on any outstanding FirstEnergy approvals and scope clarifications for specific builds.
