Apparently the folks out at Congdon school have noticed all the change orders coming in on Red Plan projects. A change order is just a revision of architectural plans during construction. Since its a change to the original contract its costs would be over and above the original estimate and have to be added to it. Change orders are a notorious way for both honest and disreputable contractors to bleed their clients dry. Its also a reason for having an architect oversee the construction to keep the contractors in line. The Red Plan does not make use of architects in this way. JCI, (one of the biggest air conditioning manufacturers in the world) is in charge.
For instance, the custodial staff might realize that someone forgot to put a janitor’s closet on the second floor (to store the mops and buckets that would be needed should a student spill his cookies in class) A change order would be required to alter the plans and some classroom or several rooms might have to be altered to make room for the closet. Even a well thought-out blueprint and an organized building plan face such orders. How many would pop in an air-conditioning specialist’s plan that has been pushed into over-drive to thwart building foes is anyone’s guess.
Despite all the hoopla about contractors offering bargain basement contracts because of their desperation and stories about what a great deal ISD 709 got on the bond interest rates the change orders are coming in fast and furious. Already various sub-projects like building a new transportation facility and fixing up the Central Administration building have been scrapped to accommodate the rest of the Red Plan.
But poor old Congdon, where Ann Wasson’s children attended school, is among the last of the schools to be worked on. What if the change orders eat up the money needed to start or complete it?
There is a very simple solution. If we need more money to complete the Red Plan it could be put to a District-wide vote in a referendum.
If it failed we might rue the day we spent ten or twelve million to put air conditioners in, and new roofs on, our newest schools Lakewood and Stowe Elementaries.
