SUHSD rushes to complete construction at new high school

The Salinas Union High School District is scrambling to complete unfinished construction at the new Rancho San Juan High School in the north side.

A district spokesperson tells KION the work amounts to smaller projects such as installing gate hinges, roof tiles and site re-grading, all amounting to about $300,000.

But the district is looking to award a new contract to another construction company to finish the work, effectively cutting ties with the current one, Dilbeck and Sons.

Construction delays has strained relations between the district and that company. But Dilbeck and Sons says they are being treated unfairly and cite the numerous changes to the design for the delays.

“There will probably be some lawsuits filed depending on the work and stuff that’s going on here,” said Tony Villegas, a Salinas city councilmember. “That’s kind of unprecedented for someone else to come in and finish someone else’s job. Just the final nickel and dime stuff that they need to fix.”