Last night, 126 days after the Poplar Bluff R-1 Board of Education first inquired about a solution to the significant layer of dirt and runoff impacting the track at the new high school stadium, the project's architects, contractors and engineers met with board members and administrators to decide how to move forward.
After nearly three hours of discussion primarily concerning whether or not the project was completed to spec, board members voted 4-3 to accept a solution in the amount of $36,685.45. President John Scott, members Roger Hanner and Jerrod Murphy voted against the proposition.
"We learned last night our architects and administration signed off on a project that wasn't done to spec," Scott said. "I didn't want to spend any more money on that issue when we, as a district, have more pressing needs at hand."
Scott said the delay in action by the Poplar Bluff R-1 Administration further influenced his vote.
"It took way too long for the board to get the information we needed," he said. "We started pushing this issue five months ago."
The nearly $37,000 expenditure covers excavation by K&S Contractors, Inc., of the bare hillside on the west end of the stadium, with a credit to cover reseeding and erosion control mats.
A failure by K&S Contractors to follow the specs designed by Billy Cobb of Smith & Co., was determined to be the root of the issue.
Dennis Dyes, of K&S, said he felt Cobb's specs were not clear. He cited this as the primary reason for not putting a layer of topsoil on the hillside prior to seeding it.
Dyes also said in an effort to finish the stadium in time for the first home football game of 2016, he veered from the specs again when he chose not to install erosion control mats. Dyes said he went with an option he felt was a better product.
Local contractor Randy Persons attended the meeting and provided the board with his opinion.
"Was there a change order on the project," Persons asked. "Because if they didn't do the work, then they owe you a bunch of money back. The specs are pretty simple to understand. It concerns me we've got an architect that's signed off saying this project was done to specs and plan."
Todd Powers of Ittner Architects, Inc., said the one-year warranty for the entire project has ended.
"Everything that isn't covered by an extended warranty falls under a one-year warranty for general quality," said Powers, citing the date of substantial completion as Sept. 2, 2016, which means the one year warranty essentially expired almost three weeks ago.
"We create a form that sometimes lists graduated dates," Powers said. "If you took the stadium early, for an early game like you had last year, we will write it on that date. We sign it, you sign it and the general contractor signs it. That document signs off on the whole project."
The substantial date of completion for the stadium was Aug. 16, 2016. Powers, K&S and Superintendent of Finance Rod Priest all signed the form.
"I'm glad a decision was made," Scott said. "Now we can get back to the business of educating our children."
At this point, there are no plans to build a retaining wall along the base of the hill, as was earlier proposed. Any further expenditures will require board approval.
Board members also voted a second time to open the high school track to the public, in a 6-1 vote in support of the notion.