Focus is sharpening on the $150 million referendum building project undertaken by Valparaiso Community Schools.
At an special school board meeting Monday, members asked for more accountability from contractors as the project picks up pace and the public asked for more accountability from the board on the subject of the Porter County Career Center.
The regularly scheduled Aug. 27 board meeting will be a benchmark for the project, Superintendent Ric Frataccia told the board, which adopted Skillman as construction supervisor of the multi-pronged project that includes a new elementary school south of U.S. 30, a new swimming pool, renovations to every existing classroom and renovation of the Career Center.
The Skillman contract was approved subject to reopening of discussion upon review by Board Attorney Dave Hollenbeck who had to step out before the vote. Board Member James Jorgensen said he would like to see Skillman make a presentation to talk the board and the public through the process of managing such a comprehensive project.
Frataccia will give direction to Skillman and architectural firm Gibraltar to create a project timeline of the stages of the project to be presented at the Aug. 27 meeting.
“I think it would be helpful to have them do that if for no other reason than to assure us that they can do that,” Jorgensen said. “For example, if there’s unexpected expense, how is that handled?”
“I think that makes sense. Like we do have contingency monies. It might be good for us to hear how they plan to monitor that,” added Board President Karl Cender.
While the board was concerned about unexpected expenses, three audience members, all current or former Valparaiso teachers spoke of plans to add to the Career Center as unexpected to them when the floor was opened to public comment. All voiced support of the Career Center, but said expanding it was not part of the dialogue that went on before the referendum.
“We have to build things the way we said we would,” said Juanagene Nietert, a Valparaiso resident and retired teacher who went door-to-door drumming up support for a “yes” vote on the referendum in the spring. “I’d like you to consider the direction you’re going and how you’re doing it, because the community backed us to the hilt,” she said.
“I did some walking and talking as well,” said Valparaiso resident and retired Valparaiso teacher Debbie Fray. “I don’t remember too much talk about the Career Center.”
Shelley Jones is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
