Jul 25, 2014 3 min read

ROGERSVILLE – West Greene School Board took action Thursday on several change orders associated with the elementary school construction projects.

“Work on the building is coming along very well,” Superintendent Thelma Szarell said following the board meeting. But much work remains to be done on the building as well as the grounds, including excavation work for a driveway behind the building, a parking lot and playground, she said.

Several change orders considered during the last few meetings also indicate issues still exist with the slope and retaining wall behind the building.

The board earlier voted to hire an engineering firm to review the design of the retaining wall to ensure the wall is adequate for conditions at the site.

On Thursday, the board approved a proposed change order for Liokareas Construction, the general contractor, to address an issue regard the possible presence of gray clay in soil behind the wall on a time and material basis not to exceed $30,000, and indicating the work could be a matter for mediation.

The motion was approved at a July 10 committee meeting but rescinded Thursday, then amended and approved.

The board again failed to approve a proposed change order requested by Liokareas to install a diversion channel behind the wall at a cost not to exceed $38,683.71. The motion failed at last month’s meeting.

Board President Regina MacDowell said Thursday that she would reluctantly make a motion to reconsider approving the order. The district could agree to pay for the work now or possibly face a higher cost later, she said. Board member Joe Coss, who opposed the motion, said the board never authorized the work, which is already completed.

The board voted to approve motions, which also failed last month, to ratify Szarell’s approval of a change order requested by Liokareas to haul 650 cubic yards of unsuitable soils from the project site to the Jacktown Fairgrounds at a cost of $12,771.07 and the company’s request for a change order related to the grinding of glazed block at a cost of $2,913.04.

The board later voted to hire an attorney, Robert Creo, to represent the district on various issues with Liokareas should the issues not be resolved and end up in mediation.

The board also approved several change orders listed as design deficiencies for work that had to be completed that was not included on the design plans.

They include electrical changes, requested by Pitt Electric, at a cost of $3,509.35; installation of exhaust fans in two electrical closets, requested by Lugaila Mechanical, at a cost of $5,944.17; and installation of a grate on a headwall opening, requested by Liokareas, at a cost of $1,280.01.

In other business, the board hired Stephanie Spence as an elementary librarian; Erin Kuhns as a long-term substitute teacher for fourth grade; and Haley Bissett as a long-term substitute special education teacher. The long-term substitutes were hired for teachers on sabbatical.

The board approved David Ziefel as head rifle coach; Cathy Ziefel as assistant rifle coach; and Justin Ziefel and Christa Ziefel as unpaid volunteer assistant rifle coaches. Ben Brudnock, Brian Jackson and Allen Miller were approved as unpaid volunteer varsity football coaches; Ronnie Fox as an unpaid volunteer assistant seventh and eighth grade football coach; and Karley Isiminger as an unpaid volunteer assistant cheerleading coach.

It was noted that at the July 10 committee meeting, Scott McCullough was hired as an instrumental instructor , band director and chorus sponsor in the middle-senior high school.

Administrators also gave a presentation Thursday on training they are receiving in regard to dealing with a violent intruder in the schools.