USD 408 fine tunes plans; will interview construction managers years ago
Sports reporter
Greg Tice of Spangenberg/Phillips spoke to Marion-Florence USD 408 board of education Monday about updates to the building project of a new indoor pool, gymnasium, and auditorium.
The main focus was the auditorium, and how Tice and his company were looking at ways to tweak the building so it "preserves the area around the Hill building and courtyard," according to superintendent Lee Leiker.
The board said it would like to keep the seating in the building as close to 550 as possible, and Tice said he doesn't see that as a problem.
Leiker said the firm and the board are trying hard to make the building a better fit so the entryway that will face the east will be centered to those driving into the lot.
Tice also talked to the board about hiring a construction manager for the project.
He told them of three scenarios: design, bid, and build, construction management no risk, and construction management at risk.
The board decided to go with the third option, meaning a contractor will be responsible for the project, schedule, and keeping the cost below the maximum.
The board has set up a special meeting June 29 to interview four candidates for the job.
This process allows more flexibility than simply taking an offer from the lowest bidder in the design, bid, and build scenario.
Leiker said it will allow the board to take advantage of someone it knows will be responsible instead of just the lowest bidder.
The board also can reject or accept individual bids with the third scenario instead of having to honor the lowest bid. Tice used the example if a high masonry bid is received, it can be rejected and revised individually rather than affecting and possibly slowing down the entire project.
Construction is set to begin in October.
In other news:
— The board looked at land south of the pool site formerly owned by Delores Stika. A trailer and shed sets on the property and must be removed before the project can begin.
After surveying the site the board agreed to let Leiker find a way to sell the buildings in a way that best serves the district.
— The board approved the resignation of Charlotte Waner as Marion High School softball coach.
— The board approved a purchase of 60 new laptop computers on mobile carts to move from classroom to classroom for the district at a cost of $67,708.08.
— Student handbooks for all three schools were approved. Among some of the changes was a new electronic device policy for cell phones. A new slogan was adopted for the middle and high schools: "Off and away is OK, out and on, it's gone."
On the first offense principals will have the phone until a parent comes to pick it up. On the second offense it will be in the office for 48 hours, and the third offense it will be held in the office for two weeks.
Another change included keeping all students who wish to participate in an extracurricular activity in the drug-testing pool for the remainder of their tenure once they are entered into the program. The former policy allowed for a student to wait until the spring to be entered into the pool if he or she did not participate in the fall or winter, and then be dropped at the end of the school year.
— The board approved a change in workers' compensation policy. The district had been using the Kansas Association of School Boards but would have been charged $38,000 this year, after KASB continued to raise it rates.
The district will now go through Case and Son Insurance at a rate of $29,557.
— All school districts who participate in the national school lunch and breakfast program are required to establish a local school wellness policy.
— The board approved Marion-Florence FFA's request to attend its annual retreat July 17-22 in Colorado.
Each student has raised $85 for food and other expenses, and asked the district to help with costs of transportation.
— The board discussed and then tabled the idea of dropping enrollment fees for the upcoming school year.
Some board members expressed concerns for the families who were not able to pay, and also for the amount of money that was not collected. Currently there is no penalty for not paying the fees.
— Annual salary increases were approved for the following district employees: Tod Gordon, $1,100; Ken Arnhold, $1,300; Mike Fruechting, $500; Dick Maggard, $700; Martin Tice, $350; Becky Summerville, $700; and Lee Leiker, $1,000. All classified staff received a 25-cent per hour raise.
