School construction managers ousted

Art Nadler

Thursday, Oct. 16, 1997 | 10:10 a.m.

Because of delays and cost overruns in its program to build new schools and renovate older ones, the Clark County School Board decided Wednesday not to continue using the company overseeing the work.

Parsons-Fleming-Taylor will be allowed to complete its current contract, overseeing construction work being done with bond money voters approved in 1994. But it is out of the bidding for new projects to be built with bond money approved by voters in 1996.

The board, voting 5-2, rejected a recommendation from the Bond Oversight Committee that it reduce the duration of PFT's proposed new contract from one year to six months, with a 90-day termination clause. President Susan Brager and Vice President Larry Mason were the only members who voted to retain PFT.

"I'm thrilled. I feel like I finally have been vindicated," said board member Judy Witt, who spearheaded PFT's ouster. "The school district staff is doing the majority of the work now anyway."

Several parents and teachers testified Wednesday night of problems they encountered in schools throughout Clark County. LeDonna Durant, a teacher at Fremont Middle School, talked of how the air conditioning frequently broke down and new piping had not been installed.

Maureen McIntyre, a science teacher at Fremont, said there was no water in her science lab and calls to PFT to report the problem were not returned.

"If you want to see what a low bidder does, come see John C. Fremont," concerned parent Cynthia York told the board. "I am a taxpayer, and not pleased with where my money is going."

Parent Marzette Lewis said that children at West Middle School were being forced to play on a clay playground that "turned into a fishing pond" when it rained.

"All the money we gave them, we could have built three or four new schools," Lewis said. "We never had this problem before Parson-Fleming-Taylor took over."

Several elementary schools in the valley are on double sessions this fall because of delays in finishing new campuses. That means the children zoned for the existing school go to classes in the morning, while the students zoned for the unfinished school attend there in the afternoon.

Fred Smith, assistant superintendent of facilities and transportation, told the board it would cost the district an additional $30 million to stay with PFT and $23 million on its own to complete the modernization and building of the remaining new schools.

"We have a history of opening 70 schools," Witt said of when the district oversaw projects. "We can do it cheaper and better, and we are going to have to do it anyway. So why do it with someone else?"

Superintendent Brian Cram said the board was "caught between a rock and a hard place" in deciding whether to retain PFT.

"The market out there is terrible," Cram said. "It is a more difficult market than what we had in 1988 (when the 70 schools were built). The public is desperate for schools. We are constructing schools on a short time schedule, under poor conditions.

"I wish we could promise that things would be better in the near future, but I think you are looking at a situation that will get worse. All you can do is take your best shot here. The district has to be in more of a management role -- at least for the short term."

James Clark, program director for PFT's current contract, had no comment after hearing the vote. He said he would have to discuss the board's decision with his partners.

"Six months ago I did not tell you the contractors were on schedule," Clark told the Bond Oversight Committee, which met during the School Board's recess. "We told you the contractors would not finish on time."

Earlier in the evening, Clark said he was aware of concerns by the board and parents, and said PFT was trying to make adjustments.

PFT has until 2000 to fulfill its current contract, which includes building 25 new schools, expanding three facilities and modernizing 114 schools.

Smith said his staff, at the next School Board meeting, will recommend how to handle construction that will be done with money approved in 1996.