Snowflake School Board Approves Change Orders For School Projects

By Naomi Hatch
   Members of the Snowflake School District Governing Board approved a construction change order Oct. 14 to install a 6” drain pipe from the new addition area at Taylor Intermediate School to a new retention basin in the northwest corner of the lower playground, as required by the Town of Taylor.
   Two change orders were approved for work at Highland Primary School.
   The first is for an additional 24” drain pipe, as required by the Town of Snowflake. The additional cost will be the difference between the cost of the original 12” pipe design that replaced the existing parking lot catch basin and drain pipe and the required 14” pipe.
   The second change will remove the existing exterior concrete between the two classroom wings adjacent to the new classroom additions and replace the entire area with new concrete, as requested by the district.
   None of these items were included in the original bid documents provided to the contractors and represent additional scopes of work. The proposed costs have been determined to be reasonable for the work required.
   In other action Oct. 14, the board:
   * Approved a 2009-10 budget revision as presented by Business Manager Mark Ollerton.
   * Approved the building renewal plan that puts the district in compliance with the School Facilities Board. This is an annual plan that explains how the district plans to spend the funds it is allocated each year.
   The Board approved fundraisers at Snowflake Intermediate and Snowflake High School for the 2009-2010 school year.
   * Approved an intergovernmental agreement with the Northern Arizona Vocational Institute of Technology, which calls for NAVIT to provide joint technological education courses for the district’s students at satellite locations in Snowflake.
   * Approved the Snowflake Junior High School and Snowflake High School professional development calendar and schedules.
   Superintendent Hollis Merrell explained that due to the scheduling changes required for continued funding through the Arizona Department of Education, SJHS and SHS do not have any time built into the schedule for professional development. He explained that professional development and staff improvement are critical to the success of a school, and requested approval of the proposed professional development calendar.
   * Approved the purchase of a Summa DC4 thermal transfer printer/cutter, including software and training.
   * Approved the Navajo County Education Service Agency Agreement for 2009-11.
   Under this agreement, the agency will provide services for the curriculum, instruction and assessment director positions, and will create a transitional plan for the new director who will be hired for the 2010-11 school year.