Published: May 15, 2008 04:36 pm         

School board approves Phoenix change order

Board votes to approve Uplands sewer agreement with changes

The Phoenix may rise from the ashes, but it still needs electric and plumbing.

Due to a change order, the sum cost of the Phoenix School rose from an original estimate of around $1.09 million to $1.17 million.

"I'd like to point out it's still well below our budget," said Director of Schools Aarona VanWinkle.

She went on to say the BOE received notice from Crossville Ceramic Tile that they would donate tile to the Phoenix School. The DOS said the donation would save the school system $1,800.

The board voted 7-0 in favor of approving the change order, as board members Brain Houston and Victor Randolph were not yet present. Dan Schlafer, 9th District representative, motioned to approve with Mary Smith, 7th District representative, supporting.

Electrical equipment in the proposal includes a 120-volt milk cooler, a 120-volt refrigerator, a proofing cabinet, a hot food bar, a receptacle and an electrical connection for a new water heater in the janitor closet.

Plumbing mentioned in the proposal includes providing plumbing for a hand sink, installing a floor sink, providing piping for waste from hand sink and grease interceptor and installing the new water heater in the janitor closet.

Since Kim Chamberlin, Uplands architect, was unable to appear at the meeting, VanWinkle informed the board that he wanted to have a building committee meeting for the new elementary school on May 26 at 5 p.m. at Central Office.

• In effort to come to an agreement over the sewer project at Pleasant Hill Elementary and Uplands Retirement Village, the BOE voted to work with Uplands with certain changes made to the contract.

BOE attorney Earl Patton explained the contract looked satisfactory to him. Even if the plant were to exceed 40,000 gallons per day, the state may not require them to install a drip irrigation system, he said.

The only suggestion Patton gave the board was to change the wording of a paragraph in the contract.

Patton noted Nancy Himell, Uplands executive director, stated in her letter the state may not make the school system provide an irrigation drip system. In case the BOE had to install the system, it's likely the community and Uplands would help with funding, she said.

In addition, Himell added a closer lot of land could be found for installing the plant, which would decrease the cost dramatically.

"This contract is pretty stringent in that it requires you to be responsible for the cost, period," said Patton. "What the letter seems to say is, 'We may help you out with that.'"

Patton agreed to word the contract appropriately if the BOE agreed to his suggested changes in principle.

The DOS reminded the board they needed to make a decision soon, saying over the past months the best decision has appeared to be working with Uplands in maintaining a sewer system.

Orville Hale, 8th District representative, made the motion to approve going with Uplands according to Patton's recommended changes with final approval given by the executive committee. Mary Smith supported the motion.

The motion passed 7-0.