At Monday’s meeting of the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education, the board approved eight more contracts for construction of the new $79 million Belleville High School, now under way.
Bidders recommended by Plante Moran CRESA, and approved by the board, were:
* Building flatwork and concrete, ELS Construction of eight bidders, $1,360,000;
* Miscellaneous steel, Casadei Steel, Inc., of four bidders, $620,000;
* Gypsum and acoustic ceilings, ANM Construction Co., Inc., of six bidders, $1,398,900;
* Food Service, Stafford-Smith, Inc. of three bidders, $144,218;
* Manufactured casework, Case Systems, Inc., of six bidders, $349,240;
* Science casework, Architectural Systems Group, LLC, of seven bidders, $718,700;
* Telescoping stands, foldup bleachers for both gyms and mezannine level – Interkal, Inc. of two bidders, $207,868; and
* Fire protection to make the building 100% sprinkled – Shambaugh & Son, L.P., of eight bidders, $788,475.
Paul Wills of Plante Moran CRESA said gave an update on the progress of construction, noting the foundations, south wall and frames are visible from the south side of the building. The mason is expected on site July 26.
He said there are $8 million worth of smaller contracts yet to approve.
At Monday’s meeting, the board also:
* Discussed setting up a forum for candidates after the primary election to ask them what they think about education. The district will look into having such a forum at Wayne County Community College;
* Approved the MiSec (Michigan Schools Energy Cooperative) bylaw amendment as presented by Pam Smart, Business Office Manager, to implement a diesel fuel program by the co-op. Van Buren currently participates in the electric co-op program with substantial savings and it may participate in the diesel program in the future;
* Postponed the off-site special board meeting, originally scheduled for July 15, until sometime in August, because issues to discuss are not ready yet; and
* Heard Curriculum Director Peggy Voigt give a report on the lack of Annual Yearly Progress at BHS last year and since Title I federal funds are being used, the steps they had to take to inform parents. The district does not yet know this year’s AYP rating for the high school. She said the poverty level is 50% at the high school, so they are using the federal funds provided and so will continue to face sanctions if AYP is not met.
The next meeting of the board will be Monday, July 19. It will start with a disciplinary hearing at 6 p.m. (which was postponed from a previous date), and will include two executive sessions, one to discuss a letter from the district attorney and one to discuss contract negotiations.