Blanchester board approves $2.7 million contract for middle school roof, waives competitive bidding

The Blanchester Board of Education on May 19 approved a contract with Weatherproofing Technologies, Inc. (WTI) to repair and restore the roof at the Blanchester Middle-Intermediate School at a contract sum of $2,696,043.96.

Board member John Panetta introduced the resolution and Chris Baker seconded. After discussion the resolution passed on a roll call vote, Ayes: 4, Nays: 0. The board authorized the superintendent, treasurer and director of facilities to work with legal counsel to negotiate and execute a contract not to exceed the stated amount.

The board relied on Ohio Revised Code Section 167.081 to participate in a contract procured through a regional council of governments and AEPA (Association of Educational Purchasing Agencies), and invoked its authority under Ohio Revised Code Section 3313.46 to declare an urgent necessity and waive competitive bidding. The resolution cites the OCEPC/AEPA procurement vehicle and WTI’s master intergovernmental agreement (IFB #025-D) as the basis for the contract price.

The board also previously approved a $2,000,000 transfer from the General Fund to the Permanent Improvement Fund to help finance the roofing project. The district directed district officials to complete contract documents and proceed with project procurement and scheduling so the work can begin without delay.

The contract award is part of the business agenda that the board approved in its May meeting; officials said the timeline for starting and completing the project motivated the urgent-necessity finding. The board did not provide a detailed construction schedule at the meeting.