Pecatonica board approves concrete repairs, ceiling-tile replacement and large construction invoice after heated debate over bids

The Pecatonica Area School District Board voted Thursday to approve multiple construction and facilities expenditures tied to the district referendum, including a $58,043 contract for concrete repairs and bollard installation at the middle/high school entrance and a not-to-exceed $94,922 contract to replace selected elementary acoustical ceiling tiles.

Board members also approved payment on a CT Schmidt invoice totaling $981,819.37. The concrete motion passed 5–1 after one trustee urged tabling the matter to solicit additional bids; the ceiling-tile motion passed 4–2.

The operations committee recommended placing concrete bollards at the main entrance and replacing aging concrete in front of the building. Superintendent Dr. Scott said the contractor listed for cast-in-place concrete is CG Schmidt and that the project would use the subcontractors already under contract for the building project. He described the $58,043 figure as the maximum the district would pay for the described scope.

Board member Roy argued for more competitive pricing, saying the board should seek additional bids from local contractors instead of proceeding with a subcontractor tied to the general contractor. "I still think we should have at least two bids to begin with," Roy said, urging the board to table the vote; his motion to table died for lack of a second. The board president then called the operations committee's recommendation to a vote.

Supporters of the recommendation emphasized safety and liability concerns. The board president noted deteriorated sidewalks and the risk of slips, trips and vehicle incidents, saying the work addresses both safety and long-term maintenance. "If somebody slips and falls, that's on us," the president said during the discussion.

Trustees also debated whether the work would automatically use union subcontractors because the contract is handled by CG Schmidt. One member asked whether patching would be an acceptable, lower-cost alternative; others warned that patching can fail quickly and may cost more long term.

On the elementary-ceiling proposal, proponents said replacing tiles now avoids inconsistent appearances and disruption later when the building remodel progresses; opponents questioned whether the ceiling tiles were cosmetic and argued to prioritize structural and safety work. The board was told asbestos testing had been performed in the buildings and that the project could be covered by current contingency funds.

The board president summarized the procedural outcome of the meeting: both projects are funded from referendum-specific construction dollars or contingency and will proceed under the approved contract arrangements. The CT Schmidt invoice was approved separately by unanimous vote.

Votes at a glance - Concrete repairs and bollards (operations committee recommendation): approved, maximum $58,043; vote 5–1. - Elementary acoustical ceiling tiles replacement: approved, not to exceed $94,922; vote 4–2. - CT Schmidt invoice: approved, $981,819.37; vote 6–0.

What happens next District administration will instruct CG Schmidt and the listed subcontractors to proceed with the approved work under the contract terms; the board asked the operations committee and superintendent to provide detail on subcontractor selection and any additional cost comparisons if available.

Sources: Board discussion and motions at the Pecatonica Area School District board meeting. The board recorded motions, contractor names and vote tallies during the meeting.