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Board approves additional asbestos abatement for LHS cafeteria, clears related foundation bids
Summary
At a May 12 special meeting the board approved a $60,500 contract for additional asbestos abatement at Vernon Hills High School's cafeteria and approved several bid packages for foundation work after contractors uncovered unforeseen conditions.
The Community High School District 128 board on May 12 approved an additional asbestos-abatement contract for the Vernon Hills High School (LHS) cafeteria project and also approved related foundation bid packages after contractors discovered more hazardous material and unsuitable soils during demolition.
The special board meeting followed committee review and a rebid process after asbestos discovered during demolition exceeded the contractor's contingency. The board voted to award an additional abatement contract to Nationwide Environmental and Demo LLC for $60,500 and to approve awarded bid packages for helical piers and push piles; the board also voted to reject one bid package that came in substantially higher than the project team expected.
County and district officials and construction managers said the extra abatement work was necessary before further demolition or reconstruction could proceed. A district representative told the board that the original contractor's contingency had been used and that additional abatement exceeded the allowable 10% change under state procurement rules, requiring a new bid for the additional scope. The district added a further contingency to the new award to cover other potential discoveries.
Board members asked for more documentation and visuals for future project bids. One member thanked staff for including photographs in recent bid packages and encouraged continuing that practice so trustees and the public can better visualize the work.
Votes and procedure: Trustees moved and seconded the asbestos award and approved it by roll call. The meeting record shows the board voted in favor; the motions to approve the helical-pier and push-pile bid packages and to reject the high O3B bid were also approved by roll call. No abstentions were recorded in the meeting transcript.
What the district said next: District staff said they will continue to monitor the site; they added another contingency in case further asbestos or unforeseen conditions appear when additional ceilings and walls are opened.
Background: District staff said the LHS building has a long history of asbestos abatement work and that the district maintains six-month inspections and three-year reporting to state regulators as part of its asbestos-management program. Officials said the most recent discoveries were not the result of contractor error but of hidden materials revealed only after demolition exposed concealed ceilings and wall chases.
The board also approved a motion to convene a closed session later in the meeting; the public record says no action was taken following the closed session.
