Lynwood Unified tables Lynwood High shade-structure contract after cost and scope questions

The Lynwood Unified School District board on Sept. 11 tabled a request to extend a contract for design services tied to new shade structures at Lynwood High School after trustees said they still did not have a clear total project cost or timeline.

Board President Mr. Deiel Cayos called for additional information after trustees pressed staff for the overall price tag for installation. The item, listed as 13C2 in the agenda packet, included a design-services figure of $98,000; a district construction-management firm later provided an estimated total construction cost of $2.2 million.

The board discussed how new Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements expanded the project scope, adding parking changes and electric-vehicle chargers that affected cost and schedule. Mr. Morales asked specifically whether the $98,000 was the total project cost; staff clarified it covered design services only. "If you do 100,000 here, and we're talking about 250 before," a trustee said, urging transparency on the full amount before approving piecemeal payments.

Trustees also recounted a lengthy prior procurement effort that had not produced completed work. A motion to proceed with the contractor was withdrawn and the item was tabled so staff could return with the total construction estimate and timeline. The board indicated it wants the complete cost breakdown and a clear schedule before moving forward to ensure students would get shade without unforeseen budget overruns.

Next steps: staff will bring the item back to a future board meeting with the requested total cost and timeline for trustee review.