Retired teacher Tim Sams
photo by Tony Eubank
The Cleveland City School Board on Monday heard from Brian Templeton of Upland Design Group concerning the progress of the Cleveland High gymnasium project. Mr. Templeton informed the board that their RFQ (request for quotation) committee had completed the evaluations of the various contractors vying to win the contract.
Last Monday, the school board’s RFQ committee met to sift through the candidates and share with each other their individual reviews and scores for each contractor. Those scores were put together in order to create a median score for each potential bidder.
All of the contractors that participated in the process were found to be qualified to bid on the project. Those companies include Tricon, Denark Construction, J&J Contractors, Retenbach, Rouse Construction, and Merit Construction.
Mr. Templeton went on to state that the construction documents are about three weeks away from being ready for submission for code review and that he would like to open the project for bidding on Sept. 18.
Mr. Templeton then asked the board for permission to release the construction for the contractors to review and to invite all six companies to bid on the project. The bid opening is slated for Sept. 18, with the construction tentatively scheduled to begin in early October.
The total cost of the project is estimated at about $10.8 million, which includes about $9.9 million for the main construction and potential $500,000 in accompanying work to the gym. The additional work will be contracted out via seven alternate bids.
The board approved a motion that allows Mr. Templeton to move forward on both requests. In addition, the board approved a motion to replace the Stuart Elementary auditorium roof. Maintenance and transportation supervisor Hal Taylor made the request, stating that a previous repair of the roof did not hold and that the roof needs to be replaced immediately.
Dr. Martin Ringstaff said that the board already approved the replacement for next summer and that the funds to make it happen are available. Mr. Taylor said he expects the roof to cost about $40,000 and that it should be finished over fall or Thanksgiving break.
The board also took the time to recognize several retired teachers and staff for their service to Cleveland City Schools. Those honored included Melissa Word from Yates Elementary, Melody Buckner and Vivian Davis from Arnold Elementary, Tim Sams from Cleveland Middle, Theresa Bledsoe, Belinda Henley, Zandra Morris, Bedford Smith, and Linda Parkinson, Energy Manager Paul Ramsey, and administrative assistant Kathy Phillips.
Cleveland School Board
photo by Tony Eubank