Board hears progress on new K–5 school and approves change orders
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Summary
Acero updated the board on exterior and interior progress at the new K–5 elementary school, citing near weather‑tight status and interior finishes; the board approved a set of change orders that the presenter said netted a $10,000 reduction. Duct detectors and other code-driven items were discussed.
The Bethel Park School District on Monday heard a construction update on the new K–5 elementary school and approved contractor change orders that district and contractor staff said netted a small cost reduction.
Acero, the construction manager on the project, showed photos of recent work at the main entrance, the courtyard and classroom wings and reported that storefront glazing, most exterior panels and interior drywall and ceiling grid are in place. The presenter said permanent utilities are staged — the permanent transformer is set and once secondary connections are made the building will have permanent power.
The update included a rundown of several change orders. The presenter told the board the package produced a net reduction of about $10,000 and described specific items: exterior flashing and panel adjustments (GC #40), roof and window acceleration work (GC #41 and #42) and gym‑floor graphics and painting revisions (GC #43). Board members asked for explanation of added costs and savings.
Board members pressed why several items — notably duct detectors — were not shown on original drawings. Contractors and staff said the duct detectors are required by code but were omitted from the drawings; the board was told that omission explains the added cost. One contractor estimated the duct‑detector work at about $20,000.
The contractor also highlighted safety and schedule metrics, saying the project is approaching a milestone of 500 days without a recordable accident and that classroom wings are expected to be ready in time for a mid‑summer move‑in window. The board moved and approved the facilities committee motion to accept the change orders for the K–5 project (motion moved, seconded; vote recorded as unanimous).
The board did not specify a future contingency schedule in the public update beyond continuing to monitor unforeseen items and value‑engineering opportunities.
What happens next: District staff and the construction manager will continue coordination on remaining change‑order details and on finalizing punch‑list work and utility hookups ahead of the occupancy schedule.
