Construction approved for new SW elementary school
Dec. 11, 2007
Construction on a new elementary school should begin soon after the Springfield School Board approved DeWitt & Associates’ base construction bid, including alternates, totaling $7,995,990. The initial construction estimate for the project was between $8 million and $8.3 million. The total project cost is estimated at $10 million.
The 6-1 vote came after a lengthy discussion at Tuesday’s board meeting on whether there is a need for the new school in the southwest part of the district.
A majority of board members agreed to move forward with the project since the school was supported by a long-range planning committee in 2005 and by voters who approved the $96.5 million bond initiative in 2006. The new school will also help address a critical strategic plan objective of lowering student:teacher ratios.
The new elementary school is scheduled to be complete by late spring or early summer of 2009 and will serve up to 500 students.
Also Tuesday night:
The board approved the naming of the Central High School Gymnasium the “James Ball Gymnasium” after the long-time Central coach and teacher. The board also approved the naming of the Hillcrest High School track the “Coach Jim Vaughan Track” in honor of that long-time Hillcrest coach and teacher.
The board approved the base bid of $1,725,455 from Shelenhamer Construction for the Study Middle School air conditioning project and the base bid of $707,000 from Mechanical Services, Inc. for the Cowden air conditioning project. The board approved a change order to Flintco Construction of $62,896 for the Cherokee Middle School project, and the board rejected a bid from Mechanical Services, Inc. for the Fremont Elementary School air conditioning project. Officials plan to rebid that project in January. All four projects were approved by voters as part of the $96.5 million bond initiative passed by voters in 2006.
Copies of each school’s School Improvement Plan are available for inspection in the Superintendent’s Office. The school board requires an annual SIP review to help achieve the district’s three primary goals.
The board approved a new policy, JFCF, “Hazing and Bullying.”
The board approved Major Instructional Goals (MIGS) for Communication Arts 6-12, Family and Consumer Sciences, and K-5 Social Studies.
The board approved the addition of a new course, “Introduction to Engineering Design” under PROJECT LEAD THE WAY, which provides engineering and technology curricula to students at Kickapoo and Hillcrest high schools.
The board authorized an $8,000 commitment by the district to join 16 community groups in the Partnership for Sustainability. The goal is to define sustainability for the Springfield community and develop commitments from businesses, government and non-profits to assess their operations and determine a strategy for implementing sustainable practices. A copy of the Partnership for Sustainability Pledge can be found in the Dec. 11 board agenda.