Marion County board approves construction change orders, staffing additions and audiovisual contract

The Marion County School Board on March 10 approved a consent agenda that included several construction change orders returning unused contract dollars, an amendment to the central office staffing plan to add four bus aides, and authorization to use an Omnia Partners contract for audiovisual equipment and services.

Superintendent Dr. Brewer reported that, under the district's construction management with guaranteed maximum price (GMP) delivery model, unspent funds are returned to the owner through deductive change orders. The board summary listed major deductive changes including a $15,675,000 owner direct‑purchase deduction for the Lakewear Middle School project (project 24‑130) with an estimated sales‑tax savings of roughly $940,500; a $1,500,000 deductive change for the new South Marion High School (project 24‑105) saving about $85,259 in sales tax; and a $593,675 deductive change for interior wall work at East…