Jasper School Board meeting notes: Board sends counter-proposal for Parklands purchase

The Greater Jasper School Board met Monday night and it was announced during the meeting that they have received an offer from the City of Jasper to sell to the school corporation 10 acres of land that borders the east side of the Jasper High School campus.

The land, formerly part of the Jasper Country Club, is now known as The Parklands and has been the focus of discussion between city and the school board regarding the size of the lot and the timeline for repayment.

Greater Jasper School Superintendent Dr. Tracey Lorey said, “We did receive a proposal from the City of Jasper regarding the purchase of acreage of The Parklands. Our board has reviewed that and is currently working on a counter-proposal that we will have our attorney deliver to the city when it’s complete.”

The board heard quote proposals on five large facilities projects from Scott Stenftenagel. The projects were previously approved by the board to be completed over the summer break.

The board was happy that some of those quotes came in much lower than they expected.

“We’re extremely pleased with how those quotes came back,” says Dr. Lorey. “And look forward to some of that renovating work that really needs to be done to keep our buildings in good operating condition.”

The board did reject an alternate bid that would have replaced doors to classrooms in the Fifth Street Elementary renovation project in favor of re-staining them, thereby keeping the cost lower. The move was made in acknowledgement of that money spent on aesthetic fixes should be limited not knowing what the future plans for the elementary schools. A volunteer group is currently meeting to work through suggestions for the future plans for the elementary schools.

The board heard an update from Jasper High School administrators about the academic progress. JHS was recently announced as a four-star school in Indiana.

The board also approved large renovation projects for the following facilities this year:

Jasper High School roof project – Schmidt Contracting submitted the low bid at $257,181.00 – it came in almost $88,000.00 lower than estimates.

Fifth Street interior renovation project – Low bid was from Jasper Lumber in the amount of $154,760.00, leaving out two alternates.

Tenth Street interior renovation project – Seufert Construction submitted the low bid at $218,230.00 with alternate 2 at $12,388.00 and holding on alternate 1 at $20,066. Alternate 1 add of $20,066.00 for removal of carpet from corridors around gymnasium entrance and refurbish the terrazzo flooring if needed. Alternate 2 for $12,388.00 to renovate corridors near the offices to finish off the renovations in the west hallway.

Ireland Elementary interior renovation project – Seufert Construction was the only bidder on the project and submitted a base quote and general allowance bid of $171,280.00.

Ireland Elementary driveway project – the base bid accepted was $224,608.00 and the board put a hold on the alternate of $65,000.00 to add sidewalk lights until Stenftenagel can determine if they are really needed due to having field lights at the ball fields that might be able to be used instead.