Facilities director Tim Hague told trustees the district has identified crown and drainage problems on a recent concrete pour at the John Brown building and is bringing on a new concrete subcontractor to correct punch-list items. Hague said the contractor relationship is being managed and the district is withholding approximately $150,000 of contract payments and retention pending satisfactory completion of corrective work.

"The original pour is crowned and water goes towards the building," Hague said, describing a plan to remove and redo a short section of walk next week during school vacation so it cures before students return.

The facilities report prompted a broader discussion of procurement strategy for the district’s school modernization work. Staff proposed using a CMGC (construction manager/general contractor) model to coordinate multiple summer projects at Lakeland High School, Lakeland Middle School, John Brown and one other site, citing advantages in early contractor involvement, phasing and potential material procurement efficiencies.

"We have $20,000,000 committed to these projects," Hague said, noting the scope and tight timelines for next-summer construction. Proponents said a CMGC can provide a single point of contact and better risk allocation; critics called attention to the added management layer and asked whether savings on materials would offset the CMGC fee. One trustee also cited the district’s difficult recent experience with a contractor and raised concerns about locking into multi-year agreements.

After extended discussion, the board voted to table the CMGC procurement decision to allow more review and to proceed with design-bid-build timelines where necessary to meet construction schedules.

Trustees also asked staff to continue withholding disputed payments until punch-list satisfaction and to present further documentation on contractor performance and procurement costs at a future meeting.