Guilford County commissioners signed off last night on the pursuit of state funds to fix structural problems at Eastern, Hairston and Kernodle middle schools.
We already know $5.4 million in state money isn’t enough to fix the $9 million problem, but is what is enough where the school system is concerned?
Between questions from commissioners and apologies from school board chairman Alan Duncan, the focus turned briefly toward possible recovery of funds from the parties responsible for the structural flaws at the three schools.
Duncan told commissioner Bruce Davis that the school board “has retained counsel to pursue whatever can be appropriately recovered.” In other words, a lawsuit.
Later, commissioner Billy Yow explained, in his view, how the school system got into this situation:
“What concerns me — and I won’t be supporting this and I’m going to tell you why — is that in trying to save money and expedite a project, the school board was irrational by awarding these contracts to one group of people and giving them (three) schools, trying to save money without requiring a bond for each project. We need to be looking at levels of insurance and bonding. We need to make sure that each project is insured and bonded for its entirety.”
A suggestion to which Duncan replied, “That’s part of the review process of where we are in this situation.”
Then commissioner Kay Cashion asked Duncan if the school board knew whether or not the person or persons responsbile had insurance or bonding so that the system could recover the amount.
Duncan’s reply:
“The extent that I have my knowledge would be through attorney-client involvement. I have my own thought, but that’s all they are — thoughts.”
Perhaps thoughts will translate into action next time. And there certainly will be a next time.
