School Board approves high school construction changes, supply purchases

After recognizing their All-In student and staff for March, the Christian County School Board approved construction change orders for the consolidated Christian County High School as well as a series of bids for supplies needed for the upcoming academic year at their meeting on Thursday.

Tim Geegan from Alliance Corporation brought three change orders to the board and shared that two of the three changes result in project cost decreases. Change order 12 consisted of both credits and expenses, but resulted in a cost increase.

In the order, Geegan shared that a credit came from duplicate ventilation equipment that was not required and the expenses concerned connecting elevators to emergency power sources, providing power to gymnasium score boards and bleacher modifications.

Change order 13 was a credit that resulted from Alliance receiving duplicated shower and toilet accessories and change order 14 was a credit that resulted from a kitchen exhaust canopy that was also duplicated.

Board Chair, Tom Bell says although the change orders result in financial costs or gains, they all serve to make sure the building is constructed to code and within their construction plan, building changes were factored in.

Geegan along with Alliance Construction Manager Kevin Hitchel affirmed that construction of the high school is coming along well.

The board approved all three change orders before turning their attention toward bid approvals for purchasing supplies needed for the upcoming school year brought to them by District Financial Director Jessica Darnell. The board approved bids with companies for bus fuel, vehicle antifreeze and lubricants, playground mulch, copy paper, drug tests and concrete.

 The Board also discussed and approved a motion to refurbish a bus and transform it into an early learning bus. Darnell shared that they received a bid from a company that would be responsible for turning the bus into a mobile classroom.

The bid acceptance comes after the board approved to accept a $100,000 grant at a February meeting to create a mobile classroom emphasizing the importance of early childhood education and to help identify and evaluate children who may be eligible for preschool.