Board approves Osceola Middle School canopy by using project contingency and liquidated-damage funds

The Marion County School Board on Aug. 26 approved a change order to add a bus canopy to the new gymnasium project at Osceola Middle School, using funds from the project contingency and assessed liquidated damages.

Interim Superintendent Dr. Danielle Brewer and project manager Ms. Usher told the board the canopy was part of the original concept for the gym but had been removed during value engineering for cost reasons. The gym project’s original guaranteed maximum price (GMP) was stated as $9,800,000.0. Because the pre-engineered building arrived late, district staff assessed liquidated damages at $2,000 per day; the new substantial completion date extended by 68 days, producing $136,000 in liquidated-damage credit for the district. Staff reported a project contingency line item of about $274,000.

Ms. Usher said district staff recommended combining the liquidated-damage amount with existing contingency to fund the canopy. She told the board the contractor committed that if the canopy exceeded the combined amount, the contractor would cover the excess and the district would not pay more. Board members pressed staff to clarify contract language, contingency amounts and how reconciliation of the GMP would be handled at project closeout.

Board Member Dr. Lisonbee Campbell recused herself from the vote. The motion passed 4–1. Several board members said they expected continued invoice-level monitoring and a final reconciliation of the GMP; staff said they would report reconciling invoices as the project proceeds.

Clarifying details - Original GMP for Osceola Middle School gym: $9,800,000 (Ms. Usher). - Liquidated damages assessed: $2,000 per day for 68 days = $136,000 (Ms. Usher). - Project contingency stated in contract: about $274,000 (staff review of contract). - Earlier canopy cost estimates discussed during the meeting varied from prior estimates (approximately $364,000) to a more recent estimate cited by board members (about $624,734); staff emphasized the district would not pay beyond contingency + liquidated damages without contractor coverage.

Board action The board approved the change order to restore the canopy by applying contingency plus liquidated-damage funds; the vote was 4–1 with Dr. Lisonbee Campbell recused. Staff said they would continue to monitor the GMP, reconcile invoices, and report to the board until closeout.