No Power For Ringing Library Computers ‘An Omission’

Posted on 23 March 2011. Tags: , , ,

POTTSTOWN PA – An architectural firm’s failure to add electrical wiring for computer stations at the center of the library in the still-being-built Ringing Rocks Elementary School, and to plug in the scoreboard in its gymnasium, is costing the Pottsgrove School District more than $13,000 in construction change orders.

Message sign outside Ringing Rocks Elementary School.

The extra expense was unanimously approved Tuesday night (March 22, 2011) by the district Board of School Directors, but not without grumbling over what was described by Business Administrator David Nester as “just an omission.”

Directors conceded they would have had to pay for the necessary materials and installation costs had the library and gym power assemblies been included when drawings for the school expansion on Kauffman Road were final. But, for the library computers at least, directors expect the district to demand reimbursement from Lancaster PA-based Gilbert Architects of added costs they said taxpayers shouldn’t shoulder.

The library’s concrete floor has already been poured. A channel must be cut into it, conduit and wiring laid, and the floor re-sealed before the central station is operational.

Without the work, board President Michael Neiffer noted, “those computers are going to need really long-life batteries.” “And we’d have to have a battery-operated scoreboard, too,” director and board Secretary Philip Keogh said.

The cost of bringing electricity to the library unit was said to be $12,826. Powering up the scoreboard will cost far less, about $700, Nester reported. And yes, he added, the district is making a list of “these oversights” to bring to Gilbert’s attention and payment.

Several other change orders also were approved, almost all of them minor, according to Nester. Board member Jodi Adams was absent and did not vote.

The board’s agenda included an update on progress at Ringing Rocks, but Clerk of the Works Tom McGrady was unavailable for Tuesday’s meeting, district Superintendent Dr. Bradley Landis said. Instead, board members have been invited to arrive about an hour before the start of their April 26 meeting to tour inside the school construction zone.

“We’d like that,” Neiffer said.

Related (to Ringing Rocks Elementary School renovations):

Related (to the Pottsgrove Board of School Directors’ March 22 meeting):

Share

2 Responses to “No Power For Ringing Library Computers ‘An Omission’”

  1. Edward J Cox says:
    March 23, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    As an independent contractor, I have to carry “Errors and Omissions” Insurance in case I make a mistake and am called for it.

    Can’t they get some legal advice on this issue and hold the contractor liable for a mistake? They contracted to do the job competitively. I’m certain we didn’t allow them to keep a running tab as they do the work and deal with cost increases etc.

    We hire these people for their experience and expertise.

    Ooopsies should be their problem, not ours.

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Wednesday’s Headlines In The Post | The Sanatoga Post says:
    March 23, 2011 at 7:12 am

    [...] No Power For Ringing Library Computers ‘An Omission’ The architect for the renovation and expansion of Ringing Rocks Elementary School on Kauffman Road forgot to add a set of needed electrical outlets in its library, as well as power for the gym scoreboard. [...]


Follow The Post

Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook Connect with us at LinkedIn Speak geek with us at Technorati See our photos at Flickr Watch our videos at YouTube Take our RSS feed

Get The Sanatoga Post delivered free daily by e-mail.

From Our Sponsors

From Our Sponsors