At the Thursday, March 19 School District 166 school board meeting, board members heard the results of the bid opening for the long-awaited expansion of the industrial arts area. The school’s architect Ryan Erspamer of Architectural Resources Inc. (ARI) said, “Unfortunately bids did not come in where we were hoping.”
Erspamer said part of the problem— and the reason that the bids came in $224,600 higher than the anticipated $750,000—is that only two bids were received. A bid of $1,033,000 was received from Ray Riihiluoma, Inc. of Cloquet. The Boldt Company of Rochester, Minnesota submitted the lowest bid of $974,600.
Erspamer reminded the board that at the August 7, 2014 school board meeting, the board elected to delay the project because it was believed beginning work late in the season would inflate costs. The hope at that time was that bids would be let early in 2015 and more competitive bids would be received.
Erspamer said that was not the case. He said there are a number of large projects south of here, such as a retrofitting project at the Boswell Energy Center in Cohasset, Minnesota where about 400 contractors are employed. “Some of it is just timing,” said Erspamer.
He said the school board had four options: 1.) award the bid to Boldt Company as is; 2.) award the bid to Boldt and work with them to bring down costs; 3.) rebid; or 4.) have ARI go back and redesign the project.
Erspamer said asking Boldt to lower costs would mean taking things out and could mean that the school would lose the “long-term durability” of the addition. Likewise with having ARI go back and possibly redesign the project. Erspamer said he would be willing to do so, but said that was his “least favorite option.”
“I don’t think we designed this to be the Taj Mahal. It’s not over-designed; it’s not overly large. There may be some things we could take out, but again, we’d lose quality,” he said.
Erspamer cautioned against rebidding. “I don’t think it’s a good idea. The costs keep going up.”
Superintendent Beth Schwarz said her recommendation was to award the project to Boldt Company, but ask Erspamer to work with them to see if there is anything that can be done to bring the costs down. “Even $50,000 would help,” she said.
The board expressed disappointment at the cost and Board Chair Jeanne Anderson said, “If we delay this, it’s only going to get more expensive.”
Erspamer agreed and said he had worked with Boldt Company in the past and has a good working relationship with them. He said he believes his drawings are fine and the contractors that viewed the site had few questions so he doesn’t expect a lot of change orders. Also, Boldt is the contractor hired for the hospital project.
“I know you’ve had some bad experiences in the past, but I’m confident that things will go smoothly,” said Erspamer.
After discussion about the work that has gone into getting the project this far and the importance of the industrial arts expansion, Board Chair Anderson made a motion to accept the bid from Boldt Company. White seconded and the motion carried unanimously, with Board Member Terry Collins absent.
Board Member Deb White said the entire project was “a gift” from the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB), which is contributing $767,258 in taconite funds toward the project.
Erspamer said he would have a conversation with Boldt to see if together they could find any ways to lower the costs.
Capital plan budget crunching
After making the difficult decision to proceed with the industrial arts expansion, the board turned to Superintendent Schwarz for recommendations on finding funding for the unanticipated $224,600 shortfall.
Schwarz admitted, “When the bids came in this afternoon, I wanted to sit down and cry…”
However, she said, the budget had been reviewed and she had some recommendations. “I feel a little better about this,” she said.
The board reviewed the School District Capital Plan and Schwarz outlined items that could be delayed, such as replacement of the elementary school lower roof, which would free up $175,000. Schwarz said playground improvements could wait, giving the school another $80,000 to work with, for a total of $255,000 that could be used for the industrial arts project.
Schwarz said Maintenance Supervisor Tom Nelson is confident that the elementary roof can be delayed without detriment. The bus garage is in early stages, so it can wait, she said.
Board Member Sissy Lunde said she heard that playground equipment was splintering and expressed concern about that. Lunde said she believed other funding sources could be found for the playground. She asked school administrators to pursue funding for the playground.
Calendar adopted for next school year
After months of discussion and several versions, the school board adopted the calendar for the 2015-16 school year.
Board Member Chris Goettl said he was comfortable adopting the latest rendition, which is the calendar preferred by the school Quality Oversight Committee (QOC).
Board Chair Jeanne Anderson said that the calendar being adopted includes a number of four-day weeks, with students off on Mondays. Anderson pointed out that this gives students the day off on Martin Luther King Day.
Board Member Deb White noted the mixed results in the survey the school district conducted and said, “We know we can’t make everyone happy.”
“But we’re doing well on consistency,” said Board Member Sissy Lunde, recalling that that was something many people requested in the survey.
In other business
. High School Principal Adam Nelson gave a brief explanation of recent “student discipline modification.” Nelson said traditional discipline methods don’t work for all students, so the school is trying something different.
With parental approval, Nelson said the school is having the students provide some sort of community service at the school, such as dusting off the tops of lockers or washing windows. Nelson said this also helps out custodial staff. “It’s been working out pretty well,” he said.
. Superintendent Schwarz presented a list of donations received by the school in support of the Robotics program, the Horizon Scholarship, Sawtooth Mountain Elementary, and the volleyball program, totaling $4,371.13.
. Principal Nelson gave the board an update on classes for 2015-16, pointing out a number of new career and technical education (industrial arts) classes such as Metals & Welding, Woods & Construction, Intro to Small Engines, and Girls’ Garage Shop. Nelson said he is working on developing an all boys Culinary Arts Class.
. The school board approved a medical leave for Physics and Science Teacher Al Heine who is facing some medical issues and will likely need to be off through the end of the school year. The board noted that it wished good health for Mr. Heine.
. The board also accepted the retirement of Special Education Teacher Bruce Johnson after 31 years in a variety of capacities. The board made the motion with regrets and appreciation of his hard work.
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