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Board approves Palms Auditorium electrical change order after oversight questions
Summary
Directors approved an electrical change order tied to removal of a motorized hoist at the Palms Auditorium after KCBA and the contractor noted alternate scope; board members said KCBA and the contractor missed contract details and asked the solicitor to review.
The Palisades School District board voted to approve an electrical change order for the Palms Auditorium project after debate over how an omitted bid alternate affected final work and cost. Directors and the fiscal committee said the alternates were present in bid materials but that neither KCBA nor the board flagged the interdependency when the hoist was removed during value‑engineering decisions.
Board members described the situation as an oversight by multiple parties. One director summarized the tradeoffs: "We saved 100,000, but we're going to spend an additional... 24," reflecting the net cost after the alternate electrical work was required. KCBA and the district solicitor advised the board the district is no worse off than had the alternate been selected initially, but the omission warranted solicitor review and follow‑up with KCBA. The board approved the electrical change order (reported vote tally: "81").
Board members asked staff and KCBA for better communication on future alternates and change orders; district staff said they would work with counsel and the firm to clarify the contract language and review oversight procedures.
What happens next: the district will finalize contractor documentation and the solicitor will continue review of KCBA's contract omissions and options for accountability.
