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Board considers six-figure change order to add field-event facilities to West Marion High track; hosting meets at risk
Summary
The Marion County School District board discussed a potential change order of roughly $134,000 (original estimate $180,000) to add long jump, high jump, pole vault and related runways and pits to the West Marion High track project. Legal review and budget checks are pending; without the additions the district cannot host district-level meets.
The Marion County School District Board discussed a potential change order to add field-event facilities to the West Marion High track project after an architect’s email said those items were not included in the original plans.
Superintendent Mr. Foster told the board the architect (referred to in the meeting as Hoppy) identified missing items needed to host local and district track-and-field meets, including runways, pits and equipment for long jump, high jump and pole vault. Hoppy provided an estimate of about $180,000; with credits and courtesy allowances the estimate could fall to roughly $134,000, Foster said. The district currently has about $60,000 identified and staff are reviewing the budget to find remaining funds.
Why it matters: without the omitted field-event components, the board was told the upgraded track as currently scoped would not meet the requirements to host district or larger meets, limiting competitive opportunities for student-athletes and potential event revenue for the district.
Board members discussed whether the work could be handled as a change order or would require bidding those items back out because they were not on the original construction plans. Foster said he and Bonnie (district project staff) are reviewing options; the board’s counsel and outside counsel are also examining whether a change order is permissible. Foster reported a planned conference call with attorney Jim Young of Young Law Group to determine whether a change order is legally viable and quicker than rebidding.
Board members and staff said they would continue to pursue funding from available budget lines and seek legal guidance about contracting approach. The board also asked staff to schedule facilities and project walkthroughs — East Marion, West Marion, the career center and other near-completion projects — and to set a work session with project finance staff and the Young firm to review project costs and funding sources.
No formal motion or vote on funding or contract change was taken during the discussion; board members asked staff to return with legal advice and recommended next steps.
Ending: Staff indicated they expect more detail after the budget review and the conference call with counsel; the board will consider action once the legal and financial information is available.
