Board authorizes change order for Central High well after questions about testing and reimbursements

The Central Unified Board of Trustees adopted a resolution authorizing change order number 3 on the Central High School well project after extended questions from trustees about project timeline, safety testing and state reimbursement.

Director of Facilities Rodriguez told the board the change order reflects civil‑engineer adjustments implemented after the project was originally bid. He said the well is operational and has been for about five months, that the project is in its final close‑out stages and that staff has consulted legal counsel on change‑order limits. Rodriguez said some costs were required by agencies with jurisdiction — for example additional shade structures requested for fire‑pump equipment — and that the district expects to submit claims to the State Water Resources Control Board for reimbursement under the applicable grant.

Trustees pressed staff on several points before voting. One trustee asked why the project that began in 2022 required additional changes in 2026; staff explained the project had multiple phases and that later phases included actions (hydrant flow, backflow prevention, shading) triggered by agency review. Trustees also sought confirmation that fire‑suppression pressures were adequate for the campus and asked whether fire‑flow testing of hydrants and drinking‑fountain water testing across campus had been completed. Rodriguez said the well itself tested good at the source and that district staff had arranged third‑party testing of drinking fountains and other campus fixtures and would submit testing costs as a claim, not a contractor change order. He also said some remaining close‑out claims must be filed with the State Water Resources Board by December 2026 for reimbursement consideration.

Board members noted concern about mixed messaging from earlier committee reports versus the current close‑out status and asked for a follow‑up report. One trustee who had previously reported the project as complete said the definition of “done” differed between having DSA sign‑offs and the administrative close‑out and reimbursement steps that can continue afterward. The board requested an information item documenting the reimbursements submitted and final certification that the well and drinking‑water outlets are potable.

Outcome: The board voted to adopt the resolution authorizing change order #3; the motion carried unanimously. Administration committed to return with a report on testing results, documentation submitted to the State Water Resources Control Board and any further claims or change‑orders anticipated for reimbursement.

What to watch: trustees asked staff to verify the fire‑flow test for hydrants, the timeline for any remaining water testing and the schedule for submitting claims to the state.