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North Marion courtyard enhancement approved after window-and-door delays; Howard Middle and Dunnellon projects also cleared
Summary
After a 146‑day delay on a North Marion High door-and-window project, the board accepted a contractor proposal to build a student courtyard instead of assessing liquidated damages. The board also approved covered-walkway work at Howard Middle and a lift-station for portables at Dunnellon High.
The school board approved a package of facility actions March 11 that included a courtyard build at North Marion High, covered-walkway roof replacement at Howard Middle and a lift station to serve portable restrooms at Dunnellon High.
North Marion High: District staff said the door and window replacement reached substantial completion on Jan. 23 after a 146-day delay. Rather than collect $146,000 in liquidated damages (calculated at $1,000 per day), the contractor proposed a student-focused courtyard enhancement coordinated with school leaders. Facilities staff and the principal supported the change, and the board approved the courtyard project. Staff noted a contractor schedule-of-values that totaled $187,014 was provided to staff but was not attached to the public packet.
Howard Middle School: The board approved a guaranteed maximum price to replace approximately 38,000 square feet of covered-walkway roof material with standing-seam metal panels, install new gutters and downspouts and add a new bus canopy. District staff described an anticipated start in May and substantial completion by Aug. 7, ahead of the new school year; the item includes a 3% contingency and district cost cited around $1.55 million.
Dunnellon High School: The board approved a GMP to install a bathroom portable lift station to service a cluster of portables on campus. The project cost was cited at approximately $246,000. Staff said the lift station has an eight-week lead time for procurement, roughly one month of construction, and a target substantial completion date of May 30, 2025.
Board members, including Dr. Sarah James, said the projects restore classroom time and campus functionality (for example, reducing long restroom trips from portable clusters). The North Marion courtyard plan was presented as a direct benefit to students who endured the prolonged installation delay.
Ending: All three facility items were approved unanimously. Staff will work with contractors to finalize schedules and will report progress at future board meetings.
