Work Stops at Lange Middle School

Contractor leaves CPS in quandary on Lange project

By ROGER MCKINNEY

Monday, February 9, 2015 

Completion of a kitchen expansion at Lange Middle School by the start of the 2015-16 school year is in question after the contractor stopped working and has not returned phone calls from school district officials.

Michelle Baumstark, Columbia Public Schools spokeswoman, said J.C. Industries of Jefferson City had the contract for the $1.8 million project to expand the kitchen at Lange.

“Work slowed about two weeks ago, but there were still people working,” Baumstark said. “The early part of last week, work stopped completely.”

She said CPS Chief Financial Officer Linda Quinley tried unsuccessfully to contact company officials.

Company officials did not respond to a phone message seeking comment or an email from the Tribune on Monday morning.

The Lange project was part of a $50 million bond issue approved by voters in 2012. The district also plans to use the kitchen to serve an early childhood center set to open next to the school in 2017.

Baumstark said there were some weather days built into the contract, but it’s unknown now if the project can be completed on schedule if a new contractor can be found quickly.

She said the district has paid the contractor about $150,000 for some dirt and concrete work.

“We don't pay for work that hasn't been done,” Baumstark said. “We're not out any money.”

She said payment and performance bonds are backed by a surety company, a requirement for government bonds. The surety company will select a contractor to complete the project.

“They're going to be doing the legwork,” Baumstark said. She said the surety company also will make sure subcontractors are paid for their work.

J.C. Industries had the low bid on the project. The company had already completed a project for the district — the $1.1 million transportation bus barn.

Baumstark said that location has been open for nearly a year without problems.

The J.C. Industries website lists completed projects including the Jefferson City Animal Shelter, an elementary school and a stadium renovation in Jefferson City. The company completed intersection improvements for the city of Columbia in 2009.

Sophie Dubbels, senior administrative support assistant in the city’s finance department, said she could not immediately provide information about current projects or recent contracts between J.C. Industries and the city.

Melinda Bobbitt, Boone County purchasing director, said the county has no current or recent contracts with J.C. Industries.

“This is just a headache that we'll have to work through to make right and get the project back on track,” Baumstark said.