Souderton officials present nearly $600,000 change order for three school projects following hidden conditions

SiteLogic’s Casey Koehler told the committee that construction at Salford Hills, Indian Crest and Indian Valley uncovered multiple hidden or unforeseen conditions requiring additional work and funding. The change-order (Amendment 3) the administration will ask the board to approve next week totals $599,803 and breaks down roughly as Salford Hills $311,009 (roof replacement zones, water filtration upgrade to address PFAS, sewage ejection pump), Indian Crest $172,969 (Culligan water softener, HVAC demolition, fireproofing/SFRM and firewall corrections, gym exterior wall repairs) and Indian Valley $86,236 (replacement of recalled fire-sprinkler heads, ~213 heads).

Koehler said roof removals found deck deterioration requiring metal decking replacements and new Garland roofing with a 30-year warranty. On drinking water, Salford Hills’ filtration system currently meets existing state standards but the vendor recommended upgrading to remove PFAS in anticipation of federal legislation; the water-filtration scope was presented as a recommendation and not yet started. Sanitary laterals at Salford Hills required an onsite solution when as-built field conditions differed by about two feet from record drawings, prompting a sewage-ejection pump to allow bathrooms to remain in use.

Board members pressed for clarifications: whether recall work should have been covered by manufacturers (administration said many recalls and manufacturer responsibilities expired or companies went out of business), whether any of the change-order costs had already been paid (SiteLogic said no), and whether the amendment affects project schedules (SiteLogic said no, most items are accommodated or scheduled for summer work). Administration told the committee the amendment was contemplated in the district’s bond planning and recommended approval at the regular meeting next week.