The Madison County Board of Education approved multiple construction contracts and change orders at its Oct. 16 meeting, including HVAC work at Madison Southern High School and Foley Middle School and additional funds to address site conditions at the new Waco Elementary School.

The board awarded the HVAC package (Package 150) to Central Kentucky Sheet Metal for $7,998,000; fire protection (Package 153) to Brown Sprinkler for $584,000; electrical (Package 160) to A and E Electrical for $792,744; and ACT work (Package 091) to Bennett's Contracting for $233,850. The district did not award one resinous-flooring package (Package 093) at this time. The total awarded for the listed packages is $9,608,594. Board discussion noted that the total was lower than earlier estimates.

Separately, the board approved two change orders for the new Waco Elementary School. Change order No. 1 for Allen Company Inc. was approved in the amount of $808,271.15 to remediate unsuitable site soils and construct a stabilized building pad; board minutes record that crews excavated and replaced material, installed a concrete cap and placed stone to create a stable foundation. Change order No. 2 for Branscombe Construction Company, for $15,195.50, represented the owner’s fee portion associated with the prior approval.

Presenters described progress on other projects: the new Madison Middle School’s track surface and athletic fields were nearing completion, with final paving scheduled; Waco’s geothermal well drilling was underway, and building foundations and block work were starting. Contractors and project managers explained subsurface conditions — including high water and shale — that required extensive excavation and rock placement to reach stable bearing conditions. One presenter described the clay/shale acting like a table that held groundwater and required removal to rock.

Board members moved and seconded the motions and approved the bids and change orders by voice vote ("All in favor, say aye").