Board approves several school change orders; playground overage put on hold pending review

Mr. Tyson, the district’s construction presenter, asked the board to approve five change orders tied to early learning projects. He listed items including relocation of an electrical transformer (cost cited at $36,900 due to an easement issue), painting to seal a block wall created by equipment relocation, a credit for less expensive serving carts, updated exterior sign lettering to reflect the academy name change, and adding a night box consistent with recent district projects. Tyson gave a total figure for the five change orders as $27,561.26 and recommended approval.

The board moved, seconded and approved the recommendation with a verbal 'Aye.' Tyson noted some items resulted from an easement‑driven relocation and that the painting and other costs stemmed from that change.

Separately, the board debated a playground change order for the Huddleston Early Learning Academy. Bluegrass Recreation measured the poured perimeter after concrete placement and found 5,244 square feet of surfacing was required, versus the original contract estimate of 4,725 square feet — a difference of roughly 519 square feet and a proposed additional cost of $9,082.50. Board members pressed district staff and the contractor for a clear explanation of whose blueprint or calculation led to the discrepancy and expressed reluctance to approve taxpayer expense without determining responsibility.

District project staff recommended additional review; members agreed to table the playground change order and reconvene (at a special meeting or the next agenda) after staff investigates which schematic or communication caused the variance. The board did approve the other five change orders on the record while tabling the playground item for follow‑up.