By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays USD 489 school board approved a bid for construction of a secure entrance at Roosevelt Elementary School at its meeting Monday night.
The meeting was closed to the public as a result of coronavirus precautions. However, it was broadcast over the Indian Tribe public access channel on cable.
The only bid was from Commercial Builders for $43,900. The district opted to not move forward with an alternate bid for $13,900. Commercial Builders also built the secure entrances at Hays High and Hays Middle schools.
Roosevelt Principal Paula Rice shared details about the new entrance with school board members at their March work session.
The principal's office is going to be moved and a new door will be added in the area that is now the principal's office. All visitors who enter the building during school hours will have to come through this new entrance.
Rusty Lindsay, director of buildings and grounds, said the bid was slightly more than he had estimated as the entrance will require fire-grade glass.
The USD 489 Foundation for Excellence in Education raised $25,000 that will be used toward this project, Lindsay said.
Board member Tammy Wellbrock asked if the time frame for the construction project would be affected by the current school closure.
Lindsay said he is working with contractors to move timelines for summer construction projects up since the schools are empty. However, the crews will have to clear that it is safe to work in light of coronavirus restrictions.
Board member Allen Park asked why the district only received one bid on the project.
Lindsay said Commercial Builders has been the only contractor willing to bid on such small projects.