New Shiner school gains and loses some items

New Shiner school gains and loses some items
District must meet a substantial completion Feb. 12 deadline
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Barry Halvorson, Victoria Advocate Sports Editor

VictoriaAdvocate.com Article | Shiner School Construction News | Construction Watch Home Page

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SHINER - The new Shiner school campus will have more than was originally in the plans but a little less than everyone was hoping for when its new all-grades building is completed.

In an update on the building project presented during the school board's Wednesday's meeting, architect Jim Singleton said there were still some items that he would like to see added back into the project that were initially left out due to budget constraints. Those items include playground equipment, perimeter security fencing, landscaping, site signage, a stage curtain system, new library and office furniture and mascot graphics for the gym.

Items that were originally listed as alternates that have been added back include asphalt paving of the parking lot, a covered drop-off area, windows between the cafeteria and gym, wiring for future band hall practice rooms, painting of exposed steel structures, side basketball goals in the gym, a maple wood gym floor, ceramic tile in the restrooms, tinted windows, smaller ceiling grids, classroom marker boards and built-in classroom storage cabinets.

"During the whole process, we have tried to save here and save there," Singleton said. "We're still looking to be able to add more back in before the project is complete."

During the board's December meeting, the board added $140,000 to the construction contract to include several items on the list.

Superintendent Trey Lawrence said that the money came from interest earned on the funds received by the district as part of the lease-purchase arrangement to build the school.

Singleton also said the district is facing a tight deadline to complete the project before a Feb. 12 deadline for substantial completion.

"The date was moved back some because some weather days were added when we added the $140,000," Lawrence said. "But I'm not that concerned about the completion date because we are still going to be able to move in as planned during spring break. I know the contractor and architect are concerned because there have been some school districts that have tried to recover funds but the contractor and architect have done too good a job and have saved us too much money for me to consider doing that."

In describing what is next up for the district, Singleton said the contractor Sterling Construction planned to turn on the heating system Friday, which could speed the interior work.

"You need the system on so you can pour the epoxy floor in the kitchen which will allow you to move the kitchen equipment out of the cafeteria area so that floor can be put in," he said. "It's all part of a domino effect. You also don't want to install the ceiling tiles until the building is acclimatized."

The $7.493 million construction project will provide the district with combined elementary, middle school and high school campus. It includes a classroom building with elementary grades on the ground floor and middle school and high school classrooms on the second floor. The classroom building will be connected by an enclosed breezeway to a second building that will include science and computer labs, administrative offices, a cafeteria and kitchen, gymnasium, locker rooms and rooms for the fine arts and vocational programs.

Lawrence said a student is organizing moving such items as desks and other furniture, from the old buildings to the new building during the spring break week of March 12-16.

"He (Dalton Petru) is organizing it as an Eagle Scout project," Lawrence said. "But I'll be helping oversee all the work."

Trustee Gloria Reindl asked if there were any liability issues in using non- professionals for the move. Lawrence said it shouldn't be a problem. Board president Denise Overton added that it is something that the community is actually looking forward to doing for the students.

"Many people have contacted me about volunteering their services and can't wait to be a part of it," she said. "Moving day is going to be a big event for the community."

Barry Halvorson is a reporter for The Victoria Advocate.
Contact him at 361-798-3888, or by e-mail at hvilladv@vicad.com.

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