By Pat Culverhouse

Webster Parish School Board members voted unanimously Monday to approve nearly $50,000 to cover utility hook-up revisions required by the city of Minden as a step toward completion of a multi-purpose building at Minden High School.

Monday’s vote increases the contract price on the building by $49,484.63, upping what had begun as a $9.908 million project awarded in 2021 with an anticipated completion date of late 2022.

Change orders added over the course of construction have run the price reportedly to more than ten and a half million. In 2023, contractor ELA Group had requested more than $970,000 to cover what it said were increased material and supply costs. That request was not granted.

Architect Perry Watson of Yeager, Watson and Associates, told board members the project, which has been troubled by numerous delays, is currently back on track and moving forward. And, he noted, the work required by the city is necessary.

“There are issues with the city about hook-up to water and sewer lines…issues with older lines under the street,” he said. “We want the board to approve the work required by the city to extend the sewer line, reroute water lines, add back-hole preventers and a new man hole.”

Watson said a construction change directive rather than a hard change order was issued after ELA Group refused to sign a previous change order for the work.

“We directed them to do the work and at the price. The work needed to be done  and they didn’t agree, so we had no choice but to direct them to do the work at this fixed price,” he said. Work is scheduled to be done February 15-17, he added.

ELA currently is in liquidated damages on the project which originally be forecast for completion in late Fall, 2022.

“They are in liquidated damages by about close to two years,” he told board members in response to questions. “That will be settled at some time when the project wraps up.”

Watson said the multi-purpose building, located on the north side of the MHS campus, is between 75 and 80 percent completed. Bricking is about two-thirds to three-fourths finished while the roofing is in place.

Responding to a question, he said the building is tracking to be completed by late Summer or early Fall. “That’s my opinion,” he said.

During Monday’s meeting, board members:

• Recognized Victoria Young, teacher at North Webster Upper Elementary and Tina Wilkins, teacher at Jones Elementary as Employees of the Month for January and February. Kevin Thompson of Taylor and Sons awarded plaques to the winners.

• Approved travel to Atlanta, GA for six facility members from J.L. Jones Elementary to participate in the Ron Clark Academy, May 22-23. Funding source is Title I.

• Approved travel to Hot Springs, AR for approximately 16 members of the Minden High Nature Club April 8-11. Cost to be covered by the club and individual members.

• Approved travel to NASA Science Center in Houston, TX for fifth grade students from North Webster Upper Elementary April 4. Costs will be covered by Title I.

• Approved travel for approximately 100 students from North Webster Junior High by charter bus to Dallas, TX Feb. 21 to Medieval Times Dinner and Tournament Educational Matinee at the Dallas Mint Bank. Cost covered by students and Title I.

• Adopted resolution identifying completion of Continuing Learning Units by school board members in 2024.

• Approved revised sick leave bank policy.

• Approved construction change directive #5 for required city utility hook-up revisions for the Minden High School multipurpose building project.

• Approved permission to advertise for bids on athletic improvements to North Webster High School and McMahen Park.

• Entered executive session to discuss a proposed worker’s compensation settlement.

Invoices totaling $161,446.64 for repairs, purchases and maintenance at parish schools were approved for payment from various district funds. Payments included:

• Consolidated 3 Maintenance Fund: $86,050.74.

Largest expenditures were $15,560 for compressor changeout at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $15,574.49 to purchase five exterior doors replacing older doors at Central Elementary; $12,304 to purchase Kubota RTV520 for Central Elementary;  $11,775 to install new underground conduit and wire for baseball field light poles at Lakeside Jr/Sr High; $11,490 to replace fire alarm panel and zone modules destroyed by lightening at Central Elementary; $5,000 to install new laminate counter tops in Home EC lab at Lakeside Jr/Sr High.

• Cotton Valley Maintenance Fund: $1,060 for boiler cleaning at North Webster Upper Elementary.

• Doyline Maintenance Fund: $26,220.75.

Major expenditures were $20,742.50 to perform geotechnical survey and planning phase study for miscellaneous paving projects at Doyline High; $3,123.25 to install window tint and vinyl wraps at Doyline High.

• District 6 One-half Cent Sales Tax Fund: $47,055.15.

Highest costs were $8,523.65 for checking units in the gymnasium area and auditorium at Minden High; $7,592.03 for coil cleaning gymnasium units, replacing actuator and thermostat, preparing two rooms for new actuators and reprogramming heating valve at Minden High; $6,897 for PA system and speakers at Minden High softball complex; $6,750 to repair sinkholes around catch basin at Webster Junior High athletic field; $4,960 to install wraps to doors and bricks of bus entrance at J.A. Phillips Elementary; $4,709 to remove bats and cleanup at Webster Jr. High; seven invoices totaling $1,130 for LED light tower rental at Minden High.

• Shongaloo Building Fund: $1,060 for completing winter preventative maintenance at North Webster Lower Elementary.

• Springhill Maintenance Fund: no payments reported.

---