Kim Bellman of FEH Architects, Travis Schwartz of Larson Construction, MCSD Buildings and Grounds Director Todd Goulding and Josh Hetzler of Van Maanen Electric were all in attendance to explain the CTE change orders. The larger of the two, which came in at $170,008.15, concerned “unforeseen” electrical items found during construction — specifically, corroded conduits, feeders and electrical panel issues.

“As it went on, we found more and more problems. As more floor was cut out and removed, we found more problems, so it ended up (that) all of the west half of the second floor is now already done overhead. All of the underground for that half of the second level is all already done overhead,” Hetzler said. “It was a large amount of work that was unforeseen that we took on.”

Goulding noted the age of the concrete as a factor, and Superintendent Theron Schutte said the district faced “a short window of time” to get the work done before the school year started.

“There were definitely evenings and weekends, and there was a lot of overtime involved, I guess, to be able to get from A to Z in time for the beginning of the school year,” he said.

During Monday night’s school board meeting, Woodbury Elementary School Counselor Heidi Williams, second from right, was honored for receiving the first annual Jessie Binford Advocate for Youth Award. Also pictured are Nancy Earney, left, Joann Neven, second from left, and Michelle Roseburrough, right.

Bellman added that she had felt it was “the right time” to complete the project as work was already being completed in the same area with ceilings removed. The board then moved on to the smaller change order comprised of eight small items and valued at $31,169.38, including removing a floor box, adding some wall outlets, providing electrical for the greenhouse and adjustments to two overhead doors.

Board President Sean Heitmann asked Bellman to share an update on the total cost as opposed to the projected budget and the actual budget with the change orders, and she said a contingency allowance of $200,000 is included in the bid along with an additional $308,112 budgeted, bringing the total to just over $500,000. With the latest round of change orders, she said, the total cost of the project would climb over the contract cost of $8,475,000, but as Heitmann added, it will still fall well under the original engineer’s estimate of about $10.67 million.

“We bonded for $10 million, and in talking with Kevin (Eipperle), we feel like when it’s all said and done, we’ll be just under $9 (million), as far as this project goes,” Schutte said. “Some of that is unforeseen circumstances like the big cost here with Van Maanen. Some of them are changes that we’ve requested after the fact despite our efforts to work closely with teachers and try to figure out what exactly they needed. Once we got into the project, some of those things changed… As much as it’s a bummer anytime you run into these unforeseen circumstances, I believe it’s the right decisions, the right work, and at the end of the day, I think we’re gonna be really happy with the final product.”

The superintendent added that most of the work would be wrapped up by the holidays other than a few punch list items. After citing the current cost of the project at about $8.9 million, board member Leah Stanley asked about the projected remaining expense, and Schutte responded that it was likely around $100,000. A motion to approve both change orders then passed by a 6-0 vote with Elizabeth Wise absent.

From there, the board moved onto the bids for athletic facility improvements — retrofitting the LED lights at the high school baseball field, replacing the sun shades at the tennis courts, pouring concrete for the new softball bleachers and the construction and installation of said bleachers. Schutte then presented the low bids for each, respectively — MUSCO Lighting for the retrofitting at $274,781; Boland Recreation for the sun shades at the tennis courts at $30,000; DC Construction at $27,300 on the concrete for the new softball bleachers and American Aluminum Seating, Inc. (AASI) for the bleacher construction and installation $124,953 — and said the concrete and bleacher work is proposed to be completed “yet this fall.”

He also said the district is gathering quotes for the extension and paving of a drive at the softball complex. According to Schutte, the sun shade installations at the tennis courts would likely have “a big impact” on spectator experience, and he plans to apply for a United States Tennis Association (USTA) grant to help support the purchase and cover at least â…• of the cost. The funds for all of the projects would come from Securing an Advanced Vision for Education (SAVE) and Physical Plant and Equipment Levy (PPEL) dollars.

Board member Zach Wahl mentioned language in the DC Construction quote about the potential for additional costs if the concrete has to be poured during the winter and questioned the timeframe.

“If approved tonight, he’s gonna start tomorrow,” Goulding responded.

Wahl also wondered if the board should seek legal advice on a clause that said DC would not take any responsibility for “failure to design provided by AASI.” Goulding did not feel it would be an issue and said representatives from DC had already been in contact with AASI owner Jim Palmer.

Before the item came up for a vote, Schutte also floated the idea of considering a turf surface for the baseball and softball fields sometime in the future. Goulding also touted Palmer’s familiarity with the field as a reason to work with AASI. A motion to approve the quotes as listed passed 5-1 with Wahl opposed.

In other business, the board:

• Heard a presentation from Miller Middle School physical education teachers Todd Kluver and Todd Rosenberger alongside Co-Principals Kristyn Kell and Dave Glenn.

• Approved the consent agenda as listed.

• Voted unanimously not to offer early retirement for the 2025 fiscal year.

• Approved the fiscal year 2024 treasurer’s annual settlement.

• Reappointed Randy Denham as board secretary/treasurer, Sean Heitmann as board president and Sara Faltys as board vice president. Heitmann and Faltys were both nominated and re-elected by their fellow board members to continue in their leadership roles.

• Appointed Ahlers and Cooney PC as the district’s legal counsel and the Times-Republican as the official publication.

• Recognized Woodbury Elementary School Counselor Heidi Williams for winning the first annual Jessie Binford Advocate for Youth Award.

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Contact Robert Maharry at 641-753-6611 ext. 255 or

rmaharry@timesrepublican.com.