Board adopts higher thresholds for construction change orders after debate; chair votes no

The Palm Beach County School Board on Feb. 24 adopted revisions to Policy 7.22 that increase administrative authority to approve construction change orders and also approved a companion revision to Policy 1.093 establishing a construction oversight and review committee.

Under the revised 7.22, the board record shows the proposed thresholds: department directors may approve change orders up to $100,000 per instance; the chief of facilities up to $150,000; the chief operating officer up to $175,000; and the superintendent up to $200,000. Chairwoman Brill opposed the change, saying the proposal reduces the board’s real-time oversight of substantial public expenditures and undermines fiduciary responsibility to taxpayers. “Change orders of this magnitude are not minor adjustments,” she said.

Other trustees and the superintendent argued the updated limits reflect construction-cost inflation and a need for operational efficiency; Burke said the policy requires that approved change orders be submitted to the board for ratification at subsequent meetings. “It is a ratification … a level of transparency that the board will be able to monitor,” Burke said.

After debate the board adopted Policy 7.22 by a 6–1 vote, with Chair Brill recorded in opposition. The board also approved the revised Policy 1.093 (construction oversight and review committee) by the same margin; Brill again voted no on record.

What’s next: Board members said they would monitor ratified change orders and may raise concerns during subsequent agenda items if particular approvals appear problematic. The decisions immediately change who can approve change orders in the district’s construction process.