School projects prove more costly
Renovation and replacement projects currently under way at the middle school and high school are turning out to be more expensive than school officials had hoped, as the school board approved $118,571 in change orders Thursday night.
“It’s either ‘pay me now or pay me later’ – there’s no cheap way out of this,” said school board Building, Grounds and Insurance Committee chairman Larry Judkins.
Even with the change orders, however, the projects are still $21,000 below the amount board members approved for them, he noted.
At $64,317, the most expensive change order approved was for the project underway inside the middle school auditorium, which is undergoing a complete renovation.
Board members were informed Thursday night that the state fire marshal’s office mandated they make a number of safety changes, including the addition of extra fire alarms and exits. Alterations to the stage area were also mandated, as were the moving of several central heating and air units.
Concerning the Nunley Stadium renovation project, board members conditionally approved a change order in the amount of $39,178 for the purchase and installation of public address system.
Before the change order is officially approved, board members wish to learn what guarantees will be offered on the system by Nashville-based Spectrum Sound, the company which provided the temporary public address system used at this year’s graduation ceremonies. A Spectrum Sound representative is expected to be at next month’s Building, Grounds and Insurance Committee meeting to answer any questions.
School system engineering consultant Tom Higgins informed the committee that while in the process of replacing the high school’s chiller, a device used to chill water for the school’s air conditioner, it was found that a number of valves were, in his professional opinion, in need of replacement. And while they could last a few more years, he recommended replacing them now as it would be easier and less costly as the old chiller has been removed.
In voting to replace the valves now, the board approved a change order in the amount of $15,076.
“We’re still in pretty good shape and should be unless we’re blind-sided by something else,” said Judkins.