Board authorizes not-to-exceed change order after sinkhole uncovered at new elementary site
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Summary
Contractors excavated a sinkhole beneath the new elementary school site; the board authorized district staff to approve a change order up to the quoted amount so remediation can proceed without delaying construction.
The Mercer County Board of Education voted to authorize staff to approve a not-to-exceed change order to repair a sinkhole discovered during excavation at the new elementary school construction site.
District construction staff and the design team told the board the site unexpectedly contained unstable material below what geotechnical borings had indicated. The excavation to reach stable bedrock grew to approximately 40 feet wide, 80 feet long and 35 feet deep, the presenter said, and the third‑party geotechnical firm recommended a full engineered remediation rather than a temporary fix.
The presenter described the excavation as "the equivalent of about 10 residential in-ground swimming pools" and said the firm provided a remediation plan and a contractor estimate. The district and design team are reviewing quantities and will meet with the contractor to seek possible reductions, but staff asked the board for authorization to proceed up to the amount quoted so work can continue without waiting another month for the next board meeting.
Board members asked questions about materials versus labor in the quote and whether rebidding would be practical. Staff said the contractor is under contract and that rebidding would require remobilization and would not typically lower cost given equipment and crew already on site.
Board members approved the requested authorization by roll call; District 1 Amber Franceschi, District 2 Amy Hart, District 3 Billy Montgomery and District 5 Randy Phillips voted yes; District 4 Cliff Rubin was absent.
Staff said the remediation is intended to eliminate future settlement risk and that they will return with final verified quantities and costs for the board record.
The board also received a construction progress video and updates on other project components, including geothermal work and foundations that are continuing outside the affected area.
