Lemon Grove unveils new early childhood campus; board approves construction change orders and permit reimbursements

The Lemon Grove School District on Jan. 14 recognized the opening of its new Early Childhood Education Center and the governing board approved several construction-related change orders and reimbursements to finalize the project.

The board held a short recognition for the new campus, which welcomed children on Jan. 7. Superintendent Vincent introduced Jennifer Gibb, the district’s program manager from the construction management team, and Melvetta Owens, the new program director for the center. “I can hardly put into words how meaningful January 7th was as we welcomed our little lemons onto the new campus,” Melvetta Owens said, adding that the site was “designed with care, love, and purpose.” Jennifer Gibb said the project team showed the board a video of the center’s first day.

Nut graf: The board later voted to approve three staff-recommended contract actions tied to completing the Early Childhood Education Center: an increase for special-inspection and testing services, a change order for the district’s general contractor to absorb work previously planned as owner-furnished/owner-installed (including a photovoltaic system and low-voltage scope), and district reimbursement of permitting fees paid to keep the project on schedule. Staff said all items were within the overall project budget the board previously approved.

Most important facts and supporting details

• Special-inspection increase: The board approved an increase for Universal Engineering Services (UES), the project’s special inspection and testing contractor. Jennifer Gibb told the board the extra work included expedited testing to meet an occupancy schedule and adding playground inspection to the firm’s scope; the work had already been performed. Trustee Smith moved the item, Trustee Preciado seconded, and the motion carried unanimously.

• CORE Construction change order: The board approved Change Order 2 to CORE Construction, the project’s design‑build partner, to move several items that had been planned as owner‑furnished/owner‑installed into CORE’s contract. Those items include the photovoltaic system required by the Division of the State Architect under California’s Title 24 (CalGreen), low‑voltage systems for communications and security, and the district‑requested relocation of a gas line after damage to the existing line. Board members and staff said some repair costs were already covered by the contractor and the change reflects district‑requested relocation to reduce future risk. Trustee Miller moved the change order; Trustee Smith seconded; the motion carried.

• Permitting-fee reimbursement: CORE paid multiple permits and related bonds during construction — including an encroachment permit with the City of Lemon Grove, Helix Water District bonding and county health-department permits for the kitchen — to keep the schedule. The board approved reimbursing CORE for those costs; staff said there was no markup and the expenses are in the project budget. Trustee Robertson moved the reimbursement; Trustee Preciado seconded; the motion carried.

Board members and staff described a continuous process of weekly owner‑architect‑contractor meetings during construction and said district departments (IT, business services, maintenance, food services) were included in coordination. Gibb told the board that UES was procured through a formal bidding process and that CORE had been the district’s design‑build partner under a guaranteed maximum price established earlier in the project.

Community next steps and logistics

• Grand opening: Staff announced a community grand opening for Feb. 21 at 3:30 p.m. “The whole world is invited,” Gibb said.

• Certification and occupancy: Staff said the photovoltaic system and remaining items will be completed prior to the close of the fiscal year and before final certification and occupancy tasks are closed out with permitting agencies.

Ending: The board voted unanimously on each construction item. District staff said they will continue routine updates to the board as remaining punch‑list and certification work proceeds.