Board approves multiple construction awards and change orders for schools, including culinary renovation and wastewater upgrades

At its Nov. 17 meeting, the Henderson County Board of Education approved a string of facilities actions covering capital-project change orders, contract awards and facility planning.

Mr. Thompson (district facilities lead) reviewed several projects and bids. For Henderson County High School’s culinary renovation and parking lot asphalt upgrade, bids were opened and staff recommended awarding the construction contract and associated direct purchase orders to ARC Construction. “We opened bids last Thursday. We had 4 bidders, and through our architect and us looking through the bid packets, we would like for your consideration to award the construction contract, and associated direct purchase orders to ARC construction,” Thompson said. The superintendent recommended approval and the board approved the award by voice vote.

The board also approved two change orders for East Heights (11-1 and 11-1-1) and awarded special inspection contracts for South Bridal (BG25-225) to Solid Ground. Thomson reported the special-inspection scope includes concrete, masonry and steel inspection services and the recommended firm had the best bid.

Staff presented two change orders (7 and 8) for BG22-506, the CTE renovation, covering electrical and carpentry adjustments including revised dust collection locations; the board approved those change orders. Thompson also requested change order #2 for BG23-416 to add safety-related redundancies at wastewater plants in Spotsville, Cairo and Niagara after consultation with a new wastewater plant manager; the changes were described as intended to keep systems in good standing with EPA requirements. The board approved the wastewater change order and also approved the district facility plan hearing report for submission to the Kentucky Department of Education.

Superintendent Doctor Lawson framed the work as investments in necessary infrastructure, noting the combined projects (East Heights, South Bridal, Jefferson, Spotsville) total multi-million-dollar investments and are intended to preserve school buildings and systems over the long term. The board approved the presented construction awards and change orders by voice votes; the transcript records unanimous verbal ayes on the motions.

Next steps: Staff will execute contracts, issue direct purchase orders and proceed with the construction and inspection schedules as described.