Joseph City School Board OKs Two Bond Projects

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   Two bond projects to improve school facilities were approved by the Joseph City School District Governing Board Sept. 8. The projects include replacement of windows at the elementary and junior/senior high schools, and extending a block wall on the south side of the high school football field.
   Window replacement is expected to cost approximately $45,151, with $29,221 being spent on the high school building and $15,930 on the elementary school. Extension of the block wall will cost approximately $21,400.
   Four other projects were set aside until more information could be obtained. Those include lowering the ceilings in two high school classrooms, replacing boilers, an addition to the bus barn and changes to the tennis courts.
   A staff report noted that the cost of lowering the ceilings turned out to be significantly higher than expected due to issues with the existing ductwork. Staff members plan to investigate other options of financing the project, and in the meantime, additional insulation and some acoustical panels will be installed to reduce problems with echoes.
   The planned replacement of boilers fell victim to a similar underestimation of costs, with a bid coming in at $124,318 more than expected. A staff report noted that the district may be able to purchase the boilers using a state contract, making the project affordable, but more information must be gathered before the project is approved.
   An addition to the bus barn is being delayed because of technical issues relate to adding on to the existing building. “…(T)he existing roof and headers could not be altered, nor could additional load be placed on them,” noted the report.
   One option being investigated is a stand-alone building constructed along the side of the existing barn to give the appearance of an extension without modifying any of the existing structure.
   The tennis court project is also on hold until a firm decision is made about the use of the courts. The report noted that an attempt was made to remove some of the surface material, but it was not effective.
   “Projecting the rate of removal and the cost for both remaining courts, we were at about $20,000,” the report stated. “The district will need to decide what we want to do with these courts or the space they occupy before we do anything.”
   In other action Sept. 8, the board:
   * Appointed a bus driver and fiscal year 2009-10 volunteers, including: Esther Patterson, bus driver; Alicia Deets and Terri Farnes, junior high/high school music volunteers; and Cara Hutchens, Stephanie Ross, and Danny Young, elementary school volunteers.
   * Scheduled a public hearing regarding capital improvements during the next regular meeting at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13.