Board approves higher construction change-order threshold; tables immigration policy; approves bids and personnel
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Summary
The board voted to raise the construction change-order approval limit from $50,000 to $200,000, approved monthly bid awards, confirmed two administrative appointments and routine personnel actions, and tabled the immigration-enforcement policy for markup following public comment.
At its Dec. 10 meeting the Carroll County Board of Education approved several action items after public discussion and staff presentations.
Change-order policy: On a motion from board member Steve Whistler, the board amended policy FEF to increase the board-level change-order/substitution approval threshold from $50,000 to $200,000 to allow staff and project managers greater flexibility and speed on construction work. Supporters said the increase helps projects avoid schedule delays while still leaving major changes and budget risks subject to the construction report. The amendment and the revised policy passed by a unanimous vote.
Policy JIHA (immigration enforcement): After extended public comment and sheriff input, the board voted to table the draft JIHA policy and asked staff and counsel to present a tracked-changes version incorporating verification and coordination steps for review and additional public comment.
Other approvals: The board approved the monthly list of bid awards, including maintenance fleet items, and unanimously approved two administrative appointments (Casey Nakamura to acting assistant at Century High; Matthew Schwartzenberg to acting assistant principal at South Carroll High) and routine personnel items (one new hire, two broken contracts, three leaves of absence) by voice vote.
Ending: Board members said staff will return for more detailed reports and that construction report transparency will continue so the board can monitor any material project changes regardless of the new approval threshold.