Kiski Area SD board approves construction change orders after debate over delays and missing cabinetry

The Kiski Area School District board voted to approve two construction-related agenda items after a lengthy update and questions about schedule reliability and unfinished work.

Project representative Jason Day (identified in the transcript as "Jason Day from PJ ****") told the board the second-floor classrooms are largely progressing, ceiling clouds and drywall repairs continue, and roofing and window work are near completion. He said some classrooms remain without installed cabinets, which disrupted the planned work sequence, and described a planned "schedule sequence refresh" meeting with the contractor and prime subcontractors to resequence work and close out loose ends. "What I'm gonna call a schedule sequence refresh," Day said, describing the meeting set for the following Monday.

Day outlined four change-order items on the agenda: (1) construction of a closet for the elevator disconnects required by state elevator inspection (not yet built); (2) repairs to existing walls in two health-area rooms because of poor condition (field condition); (3) custom-colored window caulking (material ordered; work deferred until warmer weather); and (4) a roof drainage correction that has been completed. He emphasized that change orders are approved by the board and then executed in an AIA change order before any contractor payment is included on a pay application.

Board members pressed Day on contractor attendance and accountability. One director said contractor Lycarius "is not doing the amount of work that we would like them to be doing," and asked what steps the district is taking to hold the contractor to the schedule. Day said trades and superintendent Don are on site daily and that the district holds weekly OAC (Owner-Architect-Contractor) meetings to track progress and demand schedule updates.

The board moved the two construction items to roll-call votes. The transcript records that item 16.1 (PJ **** contract extension) was approved after roll call (the meeting record states "Motion passes"). Item 16.2 passed on a 5–4 roll-call vote as recorded in the meeting text ("5 4 motion passed").

Several directors said their 'no' votes reflected concern about authorizing additional taxpayer funds while parts of the project remain unfinished or have experienced leaks. Doctor Halter said he voted no on both construction items because the project is behind schedule and he did not feel it was appropriate to approve additional payments at that time.

The board announced it would hold another executive session after the meeting to discuss the construction project further. No additional formal action on the items was recorded at the meeting beyond the roll-call approvals.

The district’s superintendent and project representatives said they will follow up with a contractor schedule update and verification of completed work before processing payments.