Greater Jasper School Board learned more about the bidding on the new gymnasium

Greater Jasper School Board met yesterday afternoon and the board learned more about the bidding process on the new high school gymnasium.

George Link with VPS Architecture of Evansville – the firm that is designing and overseeing construction of the new facility – asked the board for approval on advertising and dates for bidding and granting of bids.

Link’s request was for the board to pass a recommendation on each date in one motion to simplify the process.

School Superintendent, Dr. Jerrill Vandeventer states that they are moving as quickly on the new gym as possible.

George Link from VPS stated that they have a target date of March 1st, 2013 for completion of the gym. The construction of the gym is separated into two separate bids – first is for the foundation of the facility and second, the rest of the construction.

The board granted approval for VPS to advertise for bidders to come forward and get specs on the foundation package. Those drawings will be available to bidders on October 31st. On November 29th at 1pm, Vandeventer and School Board Attorney Art Nordhoff will receive and open those bids. The bid for the foundation will be awarded on December 5th at 8 am.

George Link will return to the November 28th board meeting to seek approval to advertise for the construction package for the rest of the building. Those drawings will be available to bidders on December 5th. On January 4th, Vandeventer and Nordhoff will receive and open those bids at 1 pm with the awarding of the bid on January 12th at 8 am.

Vandeventer affirmed that the winning bidders will be allowed to begin construction immediately. Link says that the gym foundation is targeted for completion by March 15, 2012.

Also in the meeting, the board opened an additional appropriations hearing to allocate $1.1 million for general fund expenses. Dr Vandeventer explained the request is solely for permission to spend revenue that they are going to generate which comes from the State of Indiana. There are no changes in the budget or taxes.

The board passed the request.

In other business, the board approved a motion to give Hedinger Beverage the 5 year soft drink contract with the Middle School at $15,000.

High School Principal Bob Hacker submitted the Jasper High School Improvement plan which shows a 92.4 percent graduation rate – compared to 84.5 percent for the State of Indiana, but due to the fact that they changed to a different student information system called PowerSchool, the true graduation rate is over 95%.