Board approves consent agenda including Hazel Health extension, construction change orders and Tawke Lane demolition
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Summary
The Cedar Rapids board approved a consent agenda that extends a no-cost Hazel Health mental-health agreement for six months, approved multiple construction change orders with explanations about value-engineering and selected Larson Construction through RFP, and authorized demolition work at Tawke Lane to meet DNR conditions.
The Cedar Rapids Community School District board unanimously approved its consent agenda on Nov. 17, which included an extension of the district’s cooperative agreement with Hazel Health, multiple construction change orders and an authorization to demolish unused structures at the Tawke Lane property to meet Department of Natural Resources conditions.
President Newman highlighted item 19, saying the Hazel Health agreement extends student mental-health services ‘‘at absolutely no cost to the district for another six months’’ and called it an example of a beneficial community partnership during tight budgets.
Directors probed items 20–33 (construction change orders). Chad Schumacher explained that change orders fall into three categories: errors and omissions in drawings, owner requests and unforeseen field conditions (for example, unexpected soils requiring additional rebar or supports). Schumacher said some change orders produced credits through value engineering, and that Larson Construction was selected as construction manager as part of an RFP process that included interviews and scoring by a committee with board and community members.
On item 38, Schumacher said the DNR required removal of unused structures, capping wells and removing septic tanks on the Tawke Lane site as a purchase condition, and that the district intends to restore the acreage to green space rather than develop it immediately.
Directors also called out savings on portable units at Madison (approximately $284,000) and expressed support for a core-diploma graduation pathway item on the consent agenda. The board moved and seconded approval and then conducted a roll-call vote; all present directors voted aye.
The board did not vote separately on individual change orders at the meeting beyond their inclusion in the consent agenda. Directors requested that construction-related questions remain public and asked for continued transparency on project costs and selections.