Board approves contract extension
GRAYSVILLE – West Greene School Board took action on a number of agenda items regarding the elementary construction project Thursday, including voting to extend the contract with the project construction manager through mid-January.
The contract with URS Corp. expires Oct. 31.
Brian Henderson of URS told the board he expects the work that still must be completed on the school will require his firm to have a full-time supervisor on site for about the next two months. After that, time will be needed to complete paperwork and close-out reports, he said.
The school is expected to be completed by the end of November, though some work may remain on the grounds. The district does not plan to begin using the school for classes until next school year.
The extension of the contract was opposed by board member Joe Coss, who said he was not satisfied with the company’s work and would rather hire a special manager to complete the project.
Board member Chad Scott argued, however, it was critical to have a construction manager on site for the remainder of the project. It would also be difficult to find someone to take the job by the time the work wraps up in the next two months, he said.
The board approved the extension with Joe Coss and Tom Coss voting against it. Board President Regina MacDowell and Mike Pikula were absent.
The board approved several change orders on the elementary project, including one for $13,960.49 to the general contractor for application of a vapor barrier on the concrete subflooring in the hallways on which the flooring material terrazzo will be placed.
The barrier was necessary because the concrete failed to dry to the degree required to apply the terrazzo, Henderson said.
The change order was attributed to a “field condition” caused by an unforeseen circumstance such as the weather. Several other change orders approved were listed as resulting from “design deficiencies,” apparently referring to items that should have, but were not, included in the building plans.
The board questioned the designation of several change orders including one listed as a field condition that called for modifying a manhole and adjusting the elevation of a sidewalk to meet the proper grades at a cost of $7,500.25.
In other action, the board tabled action on a payment of $5,200 to the architect, The Hayes Design Group, for basic services on the middle-senior high school renovation project. Though no reason was given, it was noted the project is not completed and work remains to be done on controls to the heating and air conditioning system.
The board approved a five-year agreement with Fox Charter Service LLC to provide student transportation for extra-curricular events such as field trips.
Board member Kelly Loughman asked if the board wanted to follow up on earlier discussions to reconfigure the district’s voting districts, possibly creating an at-large seat. The board has discussed the issue in the past, citing difficulties in recruiting people to run for the board in some areas.
Board member Tom Coss asked that the district’s Toys for Tot program make sure to work with Greene County Toys for Tots. Last year, the district was affiliated with a Toys for Tots program outside the county.
Board member Butch Cassiday asked Bill Parnham of Petermann Bus Services, the district’s bus transportation provider whether video cameras were now functioning on the buses.
Parnham said it was discovered that hard drives in equipment in some of the buses had not been properly locked in. He said all the buses would be checked to make sure the cameras are operational.