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GDOE says major school refurbishments on track but needs collateral equipment, repair funds
Summary
CIP officials reported progress on school refurbishments but warned that electrical change orders, delayed AC package-unit conversions and a $2.7M collateral equipment need for F. B. Leon Guerrero could delay full reopening without federal reimbursement or local reallocations.
Jimmy Pangolinan, GDOE’s CIP head, told the Nov. 14 oversight hearing that major refurbishment contracts are advancing—CoreTech crack-and-spall work is complete for roughly 1,362,847 square feet and restroom upgrades are approximately 80–90% finished—but several procurement and technical issues remain.
Key facilities issues: Pangolinan said electrical contractors discovered line-side and load-side wiring in the same manhole at multiple sites, requiring a $875,000 change order; some exterior doors require scope decisions; and conversion of ducted systems to package rooftop units has delayed installation of tonnage units stored in a warehouse. He said the mini-split installations were extended to Feb. 15 and urged the committee’s assistance in resolving procurement-legal questions to avoid further delays.
FBLG reopening and collateral equipment: Senators pressed for clarity on F. B. Leon Guerrero (FBLG) reopening. Superintendent Swanson and staff said the building is on schedule pending arrival of doors and windows and reinspection, but that $2.7 million in collateral equipment (classroom furniture and related procurements) must be attached to an account before the school can open. Paul said the department has “limited flexibility” to move funds and that the $2.7M is ready but needs an account code to spend.
Other items: Pangolinan described fencing contracts (29 schools) pending GSA procurement, elevator modernization and repairs (several southern‑area high school elevators out of service), ongoing public‑health reinspection progress, removal of temporary buildings with rodent issues, and trade-offs between hiring armed security vendors versus expanding surveillance cameras.
Representative quotes: Pangolinan: “Those units are sitting in the warehouse, and like the old man said, that thing could be in the school schooling the children.” Superintendent Swanson: “We’re on schedule to have that building finished by the end of this school year, ready to be reinspected.”
Next steps: Committee members asked for targeted updates on FBLG collateral equipment procurement and timelines for temporary Simon Sanchez campus planning; chairman scheduled follow-up for Dec. 30.
