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ROCORI board approves HVAC change order for band and choir rooms; members press for contractor accountability
Summary
The ROCORI School Board approved a change order to extend HVAC work to band and choir rooms but several board members expressed concern about repeated change orders and asked staff to seek explanations and possible contractor responsibility.
The ROCORI Public School District School Board voted April 21 to approve a change order extending HVAC work to the high-school band and choir rooms but directed staff to meet with the district's construction manager and contractor to determine why the additional work was not included in the original bid.
Board members said the change order is necessary so the choir and band spaces are properly ventilated and usable, but several members said they were alarmed by cumulative change orders on the construction program. One board member noted the district has approved several recent change orders and expressed the view that "somebody needs to take responsibility" for oversights, and asked staff to pursue whether errors-and-omissions insurance or contractor responsibility applies.
District staff said they would meet with RA Morton (the district's construction manager) and the contractor Wold to review the scope and the reasons for the added work. The motion to approve the change order included the expectation that the district would seek a written explanation from RA Morton and the contractor and explore whether costs should be shared.
Board action and next steps
The motion to approve the HVAC change order was made by Board Member Jennifer and seconded by Board Member Matt; the motion passed with all members voting "aye." Board members asked administration to: (1) meet with RA Morton and the contractor to get a detailed explanation of why the items were omitted or added; (2) determine whether any costs are covered by contractor errors-and-omissions insurance or are otherwise recoverable; and (3) report back to the board at a future meeting with recommended remedies or shared-cost proposals.
Context
Board members said the district has approved multiple change orders on the construction program and that, while the total is a relatively small percentage of the overall project, the cumulative dollar amount is significant to taxpayers. Staff noted some change orders are the result of unforeseen conditions encountered during remodeling; board members distinguished that type of unforeseen work from items that appear to have been omitted from original bids or specifications.
Ending
The board approved the change order so the ventilation work can proceed, and asked staff to return with a written explanation and a recommendation on responsibility and cost-sharing at the May meeting.
