USD 234 improvement projects to begin this month

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

The USD 234 Board of Education heard an update on construction expected to start late this month on the proposed two-year school bond projects.

A group of representatives of Nabholz Construction Services of Olathe, the company chosen as construction manager for the projects, were on hand during the board's regular meeting Monday to answer any questions but none were presented by board members.

Jeff Bennett, business development officer with Nabholz, spoke to the board and introduced Nabholz representatives who will be involved with the bond projects, Brian Caskey, site superintendent, and Gregg Scholtens, manager of construction and pre-construction. Senior Project Manager Jason Fruit, who spoke to the board during their April meeting, was also present.

"We're ready to start construction in two weeks," Bennett said, to applause from board members. "We're excited to get started and make Fort Scott proud."

Nabholz will oversee the construction process and is handling bidding and contracts for work for the district.

USD 234 Superintendent Bob Beckham updated the board on the latest bond project schedule, which includes delaying the HVAC and mechanical work originally scheduled to be done at Fort Scott High School this summer. That work, which includes replacing mechanical systems, as well as re-wiring for tech needs and upgrading of fire alarm, security and technology systems, will instead be completed next summer. Beckham said Nabholz did not receive the bids they needed for the HVAC and mechanical work due to the market being "saturated with work." The work was part of a bid package that also includes demolition of the old Juco wing at the high school, which is still on track to begin this summer.

"We'll focus our energy on getting the Juco wing down," Beckham said.

"We want to be good stewards of the money," Scholtens said. "We were not getting the prices we needed for scheduling. We're looking forward to getting everything kicked off."

Beckham said delaying the HVAC and mechanical work will not affect other proposed projects or the timeline. The board has already approved work to make improvements at the district stadium, slated to begin May 26 and asbestos cleanup at the high school, which is expected to begin the first part of June. School officials are preparing for demolition of the Juco wing probably "around the first of July," Beckham said.

Beckham said moving of furniture, especially usable lab equipment, as well as all student desks, out of one section of the Juco wing is still set to begin the last week of May. He said asbestos removal should take about three weeks to finalize. Beckham said members of the high school football team are planning to help with moving equipment.

As was anticipated, the board did not approve a bid package for the demolition of the Juco wing. Beckham said after the meeting that he "hopes" for that to take place either by or at the board's next scheduled meeting in June. He said he plans to "get clarification" from Nabholz on the bidding process so it can be determined when the board will see information and Nabholz's recommendation on that bid package.

After demolition of the Juco wing, district officials, architects and Nabholz will begin the process of planning and designing the structure that will eventually take its place. Beckham said construction on the new building will take place during the next school year.

Other business

* No action was taken following a 33-minute executive session, which included Beckham, to discuss personnel matters for non elected personnel and to discuss matters relating to employer-employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the representative or representatives of the body or agency.

* The following employment matters were approved:

Retirements

A retirement letter clarification for Sandra Hemphill, gifted teacher, effective June 1; and retirement of Jim O'Brien, middle school custodian, effective June 1.

Resignations

Joe Harper, bus driver, effective May 1; Darcy Baldonado, high school music teacher aide, and Erin Bratton, preschool center paraprofessional, effective at the end of the 2014-15 school year.

Suspension

Melesia Rhodes, middle school special education teacher.

Additions for 2015-16 school year

Thirty minutes to the work schedule for Jessica Marsh and Billi Jo Shoemaker, Winfield Scott paraprofessionals, due to bus duty; a four-hour middle school second breakfast cook/central office food service assistant position; three hours per day to the work schedule of Jara Martin, high school/middle school music teacher aide.

Transfers for 2015-16 school year

A transfer letter clarification for Jeff Pommier, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to remain in that position; Amy Lybarger, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to fifth grade teacher; Sabrina Minor, Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher, to Winfield Scott first grade teacher; Katie Clements, middle school library teacher aide, to half-time library teacher aid/half-time teacher aide; Jeanise Malone, middle school 6.5-hour cook, to a four-hour middle school second breakfast cook/central office food service assistant.

Employments

Angie Kemmerer, K-12 gifted teacher; Aaron Shockley, high school/middle school band teacher; Brandy Duncan, a Eugene Ware third grade teacher; Danielle Norris, a Eugene Ware fourth grade teacher; Brian Pommier, a high school English/Language Arts teacher; Jordon Collins, Eugene Ware kitchen manager; Debra Baimi, middle school paraprofessional; and Pat Harry, two hours per day high school music teacher aide.

Termination

Alvin Metcalf as high school head softball coach. The board approved hiring Karen Curran as Metcalf's replacement.