ASHLAND — A simple fence repair outside Ashland Middle School led to a larger construction project after crews found more damage than expected.
The Ashland Board of Education voted to waive the competitive bidding process Monday to allow work to continue ahead of the upcoming school year.
Superintendent Steve Paramore said construction began after a spring windstorm damaged sections of the black aluminum fencing along the King Ridge Drive side of the middle school.
Simonson Construction was hired to replace the fencing when it discovered the sidewalk had settled because of problems with the retaining wall underneath it.
“What we ran into is when we started digging in the ground, it was a lot worse than what it looked like on the surface,” Paramore said.
The original project was expected to cost less than $75,000. Replacing the retaining wall increased the cost beyond that amount. The project exceeded the bidding limit, so the board approved waiving the bidding process. The project cost is now $101,523.
Paramore said the district was able to use contingency funds leftover from the original construction of Ashland Middle School.
Construction crews also removed aging landscaping and replaced it with stone to reduce future maintenance.
Paramore said the concrete and stone work is expected to be completed this week before students return to school. A new safety railing has been ordered but is on backorder and should be installed by the start of the school year.
The area is used by parents dropping off students and by some students who walk to school. Paramore said the district wants to complete the repairs before classes resume.
Ashland City Schools will begin the 2026-27 school year Aug. 21 for sixth and ninth grade students. All other students in grades 1-12 will return Aug. 24.
