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Board awards $179,000 contract to renovate Thomas Jefferson Middle School bathrooms
Summary
The Lodi Board of Education approved a $179,000 contract to renovate bathrooms at Thomas Jefferson Middle School; the project is described as a complete gut and is scheduled to begin after the school year and be ready for the next school year.
The Lodi Board of Education voted Dec. 18, 2024, to award a contract to Scopi LLC to renovate the bathrooms at Thomas Jefferson Middle School for $179,000, a figure the administration said is $35,500 below the board’s budgeted amount for the project.
The award was part of a finance consent block (FB1–FB10). Board discussion traced the project’s history: the job was first bid in June 2024, when a sole bid of $248,581 was received and rejected. The district rebid the work; three bidders responded. Administration recommended Scopi LLC as the low, responsive bidder, with Northeast Construction and Arista Builders submitting higher bids.
According to administration, the work is an "absolute complete gut" of the bathrooms at the middle school, with the existing walls to remain but fixtures and finishes replaced. The presentation said the district’s architect prepared plans and specifications that all bidders used when preparing offers.
Board members asked how change orders would be handled if the contractor discovered unforeseen conditions such as asbestos or unexpected plumbing or electrical issues. Administration said the architect and the district’s interim supervisor of buildings and grounds would oversee the project and approve any change orders; the superintendent said he would also perform site visits as needed. Any increases to the contract would require an approved change order.
The administration said the work is scheduled to start after students leave in June and to be completed in time for the start of the next school year.
Actions
- Action: Award contract for bathroom renovation at Thomas Jefferson Middle School to Scopi LLC for $179,000 (FB7). Motion: Miss Acaglia; Second: Doctor Sima. Vote: Miss Acaglia — yes; Mr. Bautista — yes; Mr. LaFranca — yes; Mr. Mastrofilippo — no; Dr. Sima — yes; Miss Cardone — yes. Outcome: approved.
Clarifying details
- Original June 2024 bid: one bid at $248,581; board recommended rejection in June. - Rebid results: low bid $179,000 (Scopi LLC); other bidders included Northeast Construction and Arista Builders (bid amounts for second/third bidders not fully specified in transcript). - Project scope: described as a complete gut of the bathrooms (fixtures and finishes replaced; walls to remain), per bid specifications and architect plans. - Schedule: work to start after students leave in June and be ready for the start of the following school year. - Oversight: architect and interim supervisor of buildings and grounds will inspect and approve change orders; administration said change orders require formal approval.
Why this matters
The renovation addresses long-standing facility concerns at the middle school and will be funded from the district’s capital/budgeted project funds. Board members expressed support for fixing the facility but some members questioned the expenditure level and asked for further cost oversight.
What’s next
Contract documents will be finalized and the district will coordinate pre-construction scheduling; administration will report back to the board if any change orders or unforeseen conditions arise.
