Board approves high‑school construction change orders, advances middle‑school BG‑1 plan

Bath County Board of Education members voted March 24 to approve multiple construction change orders and to direct planning work that advances a comprehensive renovation plan for the county middle school.

The board approved credits and small additions to the Bath County High School and LAVEC projects, and approved owner‑requested roof and kitchen repairs at the high school. Approved actions included a $816.88 credit for a gym soffit replacement (PR‑29), a $9,194 credit for gym locker room ductwork modification (PR‑31), a $1,273.71 add for an unforeseen vent‑pipe relocation in a girls’ locker room shower (PR‑32), and a bundled owner request to repair roof flashing and roof drains (PR‑34, option selected by the board). Several direct‑purchase order credits for the LAVEC package were also approved.

The board approved PR‑34 with a motion to proceed with the three‑drain option plus kitchen flashing work; the motion as passed specified $7,554.35 for the three‑drain scope and $10,295.96 for the flashing/roof‑repair items the board identified as urgent. PR‑33 (a proposed graphic‑panel change in the gym lobby) was not priced in time and was not acted on.

District project representatives told the board the high‑school and LAVEC projects remain active: LAVEC is expected to close out pending one potential change order, and the high‑school project is aiming for substantial completion near June 30. The team said roughly $170,000 of contingency remains on the LAVEC account and approximately $200,000 remains on the high‑school account; they reported an outside contractor estimate of roughly $360,000 to repave the entire route connecting OES, the bus garage and the high school. The board discussed whether to use remaining contingency dollars now to design and add pavement improvements that contractors already on site could complete, or to bid the pavement work separately later. No final contract for full pavement work was awarded at the meeting.

On a separate but related set of actions, the board accepted multiple small credits returned from unspent direct‑purchase order allowances on the Layback (LAVEC) Phase 2 package; the packet listed itemized credits and the board approved the consolidated change orders returning those funds to the project accounts.

The board also authorized a BG‑1 package to initiate design for the Middle School, approving a base scope that includes HVAC upgrades, above‑ceiling electrical upgrades, roofing/envelope work and elevator replacement. The board directed that windows/openings, additional life‑safety items and expanded plumbing/finish work (including the kitchen) be included as alternates in the bid documents so those items can be priced and considered later. District staff and consultants told the board the full construction estimate varies by scope; the consultants presented a planning‑level package that ranged from a $9.2 million construction estimate (core HVAC/roof/electrical) up to higher totals if additional alternates (windows, full plumbing replacement, geothermal, etc.) are added. Consultants said design could be completed by the end of the calendar year depending on scope, with bids in early 2026.

Board members repeatedly emphasized prioritizing the top items (HVAC, above‑ceiling electrical, roofing and elevator) because of state grant timing and the need to spend awarded funds. Staff reminded the board that KDE/DFP rules create routine lifecycle expectations but allow replacement of roofing and HVAC where justified; the consultants also noted contingency will be needed to address discoveries during construction.

The board was also briefed on a high‑school kitchen leak. The district presented a priced repair for the kitchen leak and associated roof drains: the immediate kitchen leak repair was priced at about $10,002.95 in earlier discussion materials and the board later approved the flashing and drain work as noted above. Board members discussed whether to replace three additional same‑age drains while the contractor was on site (the three‑drain option the board chose is intended to address the known leaks and a high‑priority flashing repair over the cafeteria/kitchen).

The actions passed at the regular meeting were taken by voice vote; minutes record the motions, seconders and that motions carried, but individual roll‑call tallies were not recorded in the public minutes.

Next steps: staff and the design team will proceed with the BG‑1 documents for the Middle School base scope and alternates, refine the pavement recommendation and return to the board with pricing and a recommended phasing plan. The high‑school and LAVEC teams will proceed with the approved PR items and coordinate any additional scope with the board before using further contingency funds.