Trustees approve contract for building of new school
many necessities not included in bid
Thursday, January 19, 2006
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The board of trustees for the Shiner Independent School District approved the
contract for the building of the new school at the January 11, 2006 meeting.
Contractor Sterling Structures of Houston presented a guaranteed bid of
$7,353,000 for the K-12 project.
The approval came on a 5-2 vote with Maurice Wilkinson, Laura Kaspar, Angie
Pekar, Andrew Schacherl and Denise Overton voting for and Gloria Reindl and
Michael Huser voting against.
The acceptance of the bid is subject to the approval by the district's legal
firm.
Procurement of materials and construction is set to begin January 25 with a
completion date set for January 2007.
"Seems like we'd never get to this day" said project consultant Ken Leach. He
said a great deal of time was spent by everyone involved in the project to
come up with the final bid price.
"Mr. Singleton has done what he agreed to do. He and his team spent many
hours with staff, contractors and sub contractors to reach this bid," he
said.
"They did a good job going over all the bids and we have reached a sum that
we hope to reduce still," he added.
"You are being offered quality," he told the board.
Mike Gordy and Fay Carlton of Sterling Structures explained the sub
contractors bidding process.
They said everyone had an opportunity to bid. "We have a very diverse group
of contractors in the area that will do good for the district. We've been
very careful going over all things in the drawings and specs to double check
that all is covered in their bids."
They said the guaranteed price of $7,353,000 includes a pre-engineered
building with concrete slabs.
Some of the items originally planned for the building are not included in the
final bid.
Among the items not included in the contract but listed as alternates are:
covered parent drop-off points, covered sidewalks and playground areas,
windows between gym and cafetorium, ceramic floors in various locations,
stage curtains, chalk/marker boards and classroom storage cabinets.
Other items not included in the bid are: permanent site fencing, sound system
for gym and cafetorium, furniture and shelving for the library and offices,
cost of refinishing and relocating existing science lab casework, cost of
relocating existing kitchen equipment that is to be reused, other than the
walk-in cooler/freezer and the data system which includes phones, bells and
clocks.
In addition, the infrastructure costs of all utilities is not included in the
bid package.
Singleton estimated that the 17 alternate items listed could be added later
at a cost of $500,000. He added that the building is being planned so that
items could be added as funds become available.
He noted that there were materials and furniture from the present school that
could be utilized and other items added later.
Laura Kaspar asked about several of the items not included, in particular the
glass partition between the gym and cafetorium.
Mr. Singleton said that was one of the items they felt could be added if they
could still cut costs elsewhere.
Gloria Reindl and Michael Huser, though not opposed to a new school, were
concerned about the added costs not covered in the bid.
Reindl said she appreciates the efforts made by Singleton and the contractors
to hold down costs, but did not see how the district could come up with the
additional funds for what was not included.
"We're not looking at only $7,353,000. All these other items have to be added
to it. We don't have water, sewer, electric, Internet system and I don't know
where the funds will come from to complete this project.
"No one has shown me where the money for this will come from," she said.
Referring to the district's fund balance in the audit report, she reminded
the board that $660,000 has been committed to the lease purchase payments
and the district needs to keep a 3-month operational balance available.
Huser said with so many items not included in the final bid, there were too
many open ends in the project.
Superintendent Trey Lawrence said the present fund balance will be sufficient
to take care of the lease payments and still have the recommended 3-month
amount for operation.
In answer to Mrs. Reindl's question as to where the money will come from,
especially for the utilities, he answered, "I'm working on it."
Maurice Wilkinson also referred to the audit report. She said she was
satisfied with the good report and was confident the district was financially
okay.
"But it will take a concerted effort by everyone to make it work.
"This is a 20-year plan and we may acquire more funds as we go along," she
added.
She also acknowledged that this is somewhat of a risk but added that "we will
never be as close to a new school as we are now."
Andrew Schacherl reminded the board that if it were put off, it would be more
expensive. "The time to do something is right now."
He then made the motion to approve the contract and to proceed with start up
construction.
In other business, Mr. Lawrence explained the new disclosure requirements.
The new conflict of interest disclosure requirements passed recently by the
legislature apply to board members and superintendents.
The forms must be filed with the superintendent in January 2006.
Regarding the providing of the utilities, Mr. Lawrence said that the City of
Shiner has gone to great lengths in trying to get the right to provide the
electricity to the site, but that did not work out. He said the City did not
want to hold up the building project for the district with further legal
action.
Superintendent Lawrence also reported that four students had advanced to
state band competition. He also noted that UIL results were very good. Shiner
Elementary finished second and the junior high placed first in district
competition. Overall, Shiner had the most points.
He added that academics is pushed hard and everyone appreciates all the
efforts put forth by the teachers.
The financial report showed total revenues for December as $212,420.20 which
included $153,761.24 in local taxes.
Expenditures for the month amounted to $406,669.94, including a debt payment
of $54,453.63.
Mr. Lawrence added that all activity funds are doing well with everyone
watching their spending.
The special meeting to consider the superintendent's evaluation was set for
Thursday, January 19, 2006.
reprinted by permission.
The Shiner Gazette is published weekly in Shiner, Texas.
Agnes Sedlmyer, Managing Editor and Myra Lampley, News Editor
Contact them at 361-594-3346, or by e-mail at
shinergazette@sbcglobal.net.
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