Joplin R-8 Board expected to approve $224,000 change order for work on Columbia Elementary safe room

Joplin R-8 Board of Education members will be asked to approve a $224,900 change order for foundation repairs to the Columbia Elementary safe room.

The work is needed to enable the facility to meet FEMA standards.

Helitech, which had already completed the work on its base bid for repairs costing $56,508, bringing the total amount required to bring the safe room into compliance to $281,408.

Documentation provided to the Board for its 7 p.m. Tuesday, November 20, meeting indicates the money for the project will come from the district's capital outlay budget.


The Columbia safe room is the only one in the district which is not being used during storms. The others, all put into place following the May 22, 2011 tornado, are all being utilized. While the work is being done at Columbia, students, employees and community members are asked to use the safe room at West Central Elementary.