By CRISTINA JANNEY
Hays Post
The Hays school board approved $200,788 for renovations of Hays Middle School at its meeting on Tuesday.
Theses are renovations that were not included in the bond-funded projects that were completed last year and will be paid out of the capital-outlay fund.
They include:
• Wall preparation and texture from Pabst Construction for $18,000
• Painting from JDR for $27,216
• Bathroom remodel from Glassman for $127,686
• Bathroom floors from Ironclad Concrete Coating for $27,487
The HMS science rooms were not renovated during the work last year and will be painted and have flooring upgrades as part of this project, Superintendent Ron Wilson said.
Board member Allen Park made a motion that failed to table the bids to the next meeting. He said he wanted more time to consider the contracts.
"This is the first time I have heard of some of these projects," Park said. "I don’t know how much each piece of equipment will cost. Is it $1,000 or $50. I feel like this is writing a blank check."
He also objected to the contracts not being bid. The Pabst contract was less than the $20,000 requirement for projects to be bid.
The other three contractors had won bids through competitive bid processes for similar work for other portions of the bond-funded projects.
Wilson said the contractors had agreed to complete the Hays Middle School work for the same prices as their bids from a year ago.
Board member Jayme Goetz said due to inflation, those bids would all be higher if they were to be bid again. She also noted three of the four contracts were with local companies.
Board member Craig Pallister expressed a concern that delaying a vote on the contracts would risk the projects not being completed this summer.
Wilson said that was possible.
The contracts were approved on a vote of 5-1, with Park voting against. Board member Derek Yarmer was absent.
Furniture
The board also approved a contract with Circadia for up to $275,000 for furniture for O'Loughlin and Felten elementary schools.
Renovations on both schools are scheduled to be complete in August.
Wilson said $400,000 had been budgeted in the capital-outlay budget for the purchase, but the administration decided to reduce that budget so funds could be used on other projects.
The district has worked with Circadia throughout the bond-funded work through a pre-bid purchasing contract.
Wilson said the district is still working with Circadia on the shipping costs. However, he said the district has been guaranteed all of the items on its order, including installation for the amount quoted. The final cost may be less, he said.
Wilson said all of the items purchased from Circadia will have life-time guaruntees.
Park again objected to the contract.
"I'm uncomfortable without having the figures. I feel we are approving a blank check, so I will be voting no," he said.
The contract was approved on a vote of 5-1, with Park voting against.
Wilson said the school district might have a garage sale this summer to sell some of the surplus items from the two schools.
Negotiations
The board had an executive session to discuss teacher negotiations.
Wilson said negotiations are almost complete. He said the most significant change in the contract will likely be a reduction in professional days from 10 to eight. The professional days in March and December will be removed.