Van Buren School board gets ‘jump start’ on bond projects

At its regular meeting on Oct. 27, the Van Buren Public Schools Board of Education got information on a recommended construction management firm and architectural and engineering contracts. At its regular meeting on Nov. 10, they both were unanimously approved. Absent from the meeting was Vic DeLibera.
The projects are part of the $77 million in bonds approved by voters in the Nov. 4 election.
Plante Moran Realpoint consultant Rob Kakoczki had recommended C.M. Granger for the construction management firm to provide construction manager services at a cost of $321,484 from the bond money for pre-construction services for each phase over the next six years, plus 2.0% of the project for work as it progresses. Project manager is Bryan Darling. Kakocski said it will be six to 10 months before starting the first project.
Kakoczki also had presented information on architectural and engineering contracts recommended. Out of seven firms bidding, The Collaborative+Acock was recommended at a lump sum fee of $3,249,481 and reimbursable costs of $150,000. He said this information is to “get a jump start with the first projects” after the election approves the bond.
In other business, the board:
• Heard fall building presentations from the staffs of Rawsonville and Tyler elementary schools and the Early Childhood Development Center;
• Approved hiring Curtissa Frison as a fifth-grade teacher at Owen Intermediate School and Jennifer Frazier as a resource room teacher at McBride Middle School, both starting Nov. 17;
• Approved the retirement of William Frazier, a paraprofessional at Rawsonville Elementary School, as of June 30, 2026, after 38 years of service; and the resignation of administrative assistant Joumana Kadri, who worked at the administration building, as of Nov. 11 after three years of service; and
• Went into closed session “to consider material exempt from discussion or disclosure by state or federal statue” and came back into regular session only to adjourn.