3/27/08

ThisWeek

David J. Cross

The Columbus Board of Education last week approved new rules that might reduce the number of contractors eligible to bid on district construction jobs.

At its March 19 meeting, the board voted 6-1 to adopt criteria that take a stricter stance on violations of the state’s prevailing wage laws.

Board member Stephanie Groce was the lone member to oppose the change.

Under the new criteria, based on rules crafted by Ohio School Facilities Commission, contractors who have violated prevailing wage laws more than three times over a 10-year period are not eligible to seek contracts with the district. Previously, the district’s rules barred contractors if they had three violations in a two-year period.

Prevailing wage laws bring non-union wages in line with union pay.

Some have argued the new criteria will cost the district more money on construction projects and limit the number of companies eligible to seek contracts. The resolution is also said to favor unions.

Mike Wiles, who has previously run for school board, said a better resolution would be to stipulate guaranteed work from contractors.

Wiles also said he realized that some board members received help from unions during the election season and that members should return the favor, just not on the backs of the taxpayers. “In short, this amendment falls way too short,” Wiles said.

While questioning the change, Groce asked if the district’s current system was detrimental in terms of delays, costs and quality.

Board president Terry Boyd said it was not. He said the change clarifies existing rules.

“Really, what I see here are not language clarifications,” Groce said. “These are substantive policy changes.”

Following the meeting, Groce expanded on the subject. “We have a program,” Groce said, “that we don’t have quality issues with, we don’t have timing (problems) with, we don’t have budget issues with. We are improving our LEDE (local and economically disadvantaged enterprises) participation. And our reaction is, let’s change the policy.”

Boyd said after the meeting the changes will not limited the pool of contractors. “What it will do is clear up confusion about our expectations,” Boyd said.

He said it is a mistake to suggest that construction projects will cost more. “Sometimes people have knee-jerk reactions to situations that they think they know something about, but they really don’t understand,” Boyd said.

It is important to note, he said, that the board has the ability to allow companies to bid on projects even if they have wage violations.

The new rules also call for construction workers to have either three years of experience, a state license, or be in an apprenticeship program, and for the contractor to have a minimum health care plan in place.

A closer look

Under the new criteria, based on rules crafted by Ohio School Facilities Commission, contractors who have violated prevailing wage laws more than three times over a 10-year period are not eligible to seek contracts with the district.