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Board approves school reimbursements and $2.38M change order for Washington Elementary
Summary
After questioning about how state and county funds were drawn and whether change orders should be voted separately, commissioners approved two reimbursement draws for Washington Elementary and later voted to approve a $2.38 million change order including allowances, furnishings and site items.
Superintendent Mark (introduced in the meeting packet) and contractors told the board that Washington Elementary is on track to finish under the original $52 million project budget and that, based on state guidance, the county may reach a point where a larger share of costs can be billed against state funds rather than county matches.
Commissioners pressed the schools’ team on contracting practice and the presentation of change orders. One commissioner said change orders should be considered separately from regular pay requests; staff explained the allowances now being included in the contract are necessary for general contractor WIMCO to pay vendors and suppliers. The change order’s listed items included additional site and finish items, cafeteria and kitchen equipment, custodial equipment, courtyards turf, and other allowances.
The board voted to approve reimbursement requests (pay requests identified as 18 and 19 in the packet) and then separately approved change order number 1 covering $2,380,000 in allowances and related items. Commissioners said they expect closing documentation and a final accounting when the project is complete and noted a proposed ribbon‑cutting date of Aug. 17.
What happens next: Superintendent and school staff will finalize final draws and return with closing documents and recommended allocation of any remaining county funds.
