Caledonia Argus

Decision on technology bid delayed by board

Posted: 1/30/02

By Shannon McKinney
Argus News Reporter

A $538,000 technology systems bid will not be decided upon until school board members can determine how it will fit into the building budget.

The board made the unanimous decision at its January 22 meeting to delay awarding to the lowest bidder until they felt ìmore comfortableî with the design of the technology systems package and how they will handle funding its two other technology packages.

Board member Chuck Schulte asked for the delay because there is not enough money budgeted for all three packages.

This first package will be used for installing the wiring aspect of the schoolís technology. The second package will cover the hardware for computers, printers and servers and is estimated at $350,000. The third package is for a creative learning center or synergistic lab estimated at $200,000.

The district has budgeted $800,000 for the three packages, which, noted Schulte, will not be enough money.

The technology budget for the three packages had been given a $1.2 million budget, which was reduced when the legislature approved the capital loan a year after that budget had been set. That extra year of inflation increased the costs of construction by 5 percent which ate away about $1 million of the districtís budget.The technology budget saw part of that cut.

Schulte wondered how they would be able to buy everything they needed with such little money. He questioned how they would be able to pay for the CLS (Creative Learning Center) software for the high school/middle school. ìI would agree with Suzanne (Roesler, board member), that the technology committee fell in a black hole. I donít know what Iím doing. I need to take time to gather information to at least ask him (EEA consultant) the right questions.î

Bulman said he would agree to a review of the bids if it made people more comfortable, but added, ìI would say the specs(bid specifications) they came up with were based on meetings they had with people in our community who are experts. These people better be a part of this discussion.î

The board will meet Wednesday, January 30 at 6 p.m. to make a decision and discuss the technology proposals. The meeting is open to the public with the site to be determined.

The bids were opened January 15. Bulman noted that by law they have to accept the low bid or else re-advertise for a different bid which could prolong the process by 6 to 8 weeks.

Superintendent Percy Lingen suggested that a process called ìvalue engineeringî be conducted after the bid is awarded. The subcontractors could cost out real costs and may find some savings.

Capital loan dollars kicks in

Lingen informed the board that the district has used up its $9 million in bond dollars for the new school and will begin receiving its capital loan dollars from the state to pay construction bills. The district is going through the process to have the money wired to its bank account from the stateís account. ìThis month (January) is a transition month,î she said.

District declares support for drug search

Board member Dave Klinski made a motion to support a search for drugs that occurred in Caledonia High School January 8 and any future searches.

He said heís received many positive comments about the search.

Lingen commented that the search went well according to Caledonia Police Chief Duane St. Mary and Secondary Principal Brian Doty.

The motion was supported with a unanimous vote. Schulte said, ìI think its important. Drugs, guns and weapons have no place in school.î

Lingen commented that the drug search must be authorized annually by the district.

Building update

Jim Wilson, architect with SGN, presented board members with an updated sketch of the high school retrofit.

Wilson said there have been meetings with community members about the retrofit.

Schulte asked if they were addressing the aspect of the air temperature in the building. ìAre you addressing the heating issue, youíre either freezing to death or you cook?î

Wilson said they will replace 25 to 30 percent of existing units and tie them into a controlled temperature.

Schulte also asked if they could compare the costs of installing ceiling fans versus putting in window air conditioning units

Mark Kotten of Kraus Anderson Contruction Engineers (K-A) gave board members a budget update on the construction.

He noted that after all the change orders, the district has $251,099 left in its contingency fund. ìItís a big issue,î he said.

K-A Site Superintendent Ken Cote' said construction has put in 194 working days, and they have 104 working days left to achieve substantial completion by June 28.

The floor pours are 62% complete. Wall tile is being placed on the bathrooms and floor tile will be placed in a few weeks.

About 42% of the mechanical work has been completed. That included duct work, air handling units for the commons and gymnasium.

Cote' said they are still behind one week due the prolonged process of placing the concrete floors. ìI believe weíll make up that week over the next month. Weíre still targeting June 28.

Board Chair Cheryl Whitesitt complimented Cote' on his willingness to give tours and talk to people of all ages. ìYou have done a great job. You took a teach-able moment and talked about how the construction industry needs people,î she said.

Cote' responded, ìCommunication is one of the greatest assets you can have in this entire construction project and I have a tendency to labor on that.î

Board supports all day kindergarten

Connie Hesse, elementary principal, reported on her research about all day kindergarten.

After hearing her presentation, the board unanimously approved a motion supporting the program if funding can be made available for it.

The state currently provides funding for kindergarten at 50 percent. Hesse has proposed a few funding options, one of which is fee based if money cannot be captured through state grants. An informational meeting is scheduled with parents to receive input from them on whether they would like all day kindergarten. Parents will also be able to fill out surveys.

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