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District updates progress, timelines and change-order procedures for Elkhorn, Western Hills and Franklin County projects
Summary
District staff reported progress photos, delivery and pay-app timing, change-order accounting and inspection status for multiple school construction projects including Elkhorn Elementary, auxiliary gyms, Franklin County and Western Hills; staff noted OSHA findings on a contractor incident and explained how credits and change orders are tracked.
District facilities staff updated the Franklin County School Board on construction progress at Elkhorn Elementary, auxiliary gym sites, Franklin County High School and Western Hills, and described greenhouse work at Western Hills and Franklin County.
The presentation included recent site photos, sequencing plans (gym/storm-shelter work first at Elkhorn), and an explanation of change-order accounting: because multiple prime contractors work on a single project, each contractor's change orders appear as separate "No. 1" items. District staff said credits from earlier provisional allowances have been returned in some cases and are reconciled against subsequent change orders before final closeout.
Staff also told the board that one contractor had been cited by OSHA after a worker was injured; the district was told the owner of the property also faced citation in line with recent enforcement practice. Facilities staff said they are tracking credits and change orders across contractors and will present final closeout BG4/BG5 documents when each contractor completes its scope.
Timelines and inspections
- Elkhorn Elementary: Staff showed current aerial and on-site photos and reported completed mechanical rooms and concrete slabs; classroom completion varied by location (some rooms complete, others at about 30%).
- Auxiliary gyms: Work on the front facade, breezeway and gym doors was described; staff said pay app timing and sequencing meant some flooring and fixtures were covered to protect finished surfaces during other trades.
- Franklin County High School: Staff said water work is finished but the electrical panel and interior electrical work were incomplete at the time of the update; the district was given a mid-December target for completion but staff cautioned construction dates can shift.
- Western Hills: Facilities staff reported progress on gym dividers, bleacher protection, golf simulator delivery (already on site), and locker rooms; several inspections (including electrical upper-level inspection) have passed.
- Greenhouses: A Western Hills greenhouse inspection was called and staff expect an inspection closeout; Franklin County's greenhouse had water finished but panels and electrical work remained in progress, with some long-lead items on special greenhouse breakers on order.
Why it matters
Project timing affects where and when students and staff can occupy new or renovated spaces, and pay apps/change orders affect project budgets. Facilities staff emphasized they triple-check pay app math and keep a running record of credits and change orders to reconcile final balances when each contractor closes out with a BG4 or the district issues a BG5 to finish the entire project.
What board members asked
Board members asked for clarification about how credits are applied and how many change orders the district tracks; staff said they will maintain a running total of change orders and credits and will present full closeout figures at project completion. The board also asked about completion dates and whether the auxiliary gym projects would meet Thanksgiving/December targets; staff reiterated a mid-December projection for Franklin County and cautioned that construction schedules often shift.
