By Brenda Sexton, The Courier-Herald
The transformation of the old White River High School campus into Glacier Middle School is about to begin. The White River School Board hired low-bidder Construction Enterprises and Contractors to handle the project at its regular board meeting Wednesday night.
According to district capital projects manager Scott Hodgins, Construction Enterprises and Contractors was the low-bidder by a substantial amount. Most of the bids came in low enough to allow the district to accept the base bid plus the alternative to add the gymnasium floor, he said.
Construction Enterprises and Contractors' bid was approximately 21 percent lower than competing firms, which raised concerns, Hodgins said. He explained the contractor made an error but opted to confirm the bid for $963,221 with an additional $109,000 for the gym floor.
The district had anticipated doing the base project for $1.2 million.
In addition, Principal Gary Benedetti announced Glacier and White River middle schools' new color schemes and mascots.
Glacier will be the Grizzlies with school colors of forest green and silver. White River Middle School will change its name from the Hornets to the Bulldogs and its colors from maroon and gold to red and white. The selections were the winners based on extensive voting process by students and staff.
In other business, the board:
€ announced White River High School Principal Keith Banks will become the district's human resources director this summer as Michael Fuller announced his retirement from that position. The search for a principal began last week with the posting of the position. The posting will close March 24. A committee is anticipated to interview candidates April 6 and 7. Superintendent interviews are scheduled for April 8 and 9 with a recommendation for the board set for April 14.
€ announced a study session at 6 p.m. Feb. 25 at the district board/conference room to discuss alternative discipline.
€ set 6 p.m. March 10 for its next regular meeting in the district board/conference room.
€ approved a $24,533 Carl Perkins Grant for vocational programs. WRHS career education director Nancy Musser updated the board on the programs and equipment the grant would cover. She also briefly introduced the board to some new programs offered at the high school, like the information technology program, Web page development course, sociology and Teens in Action (WRHS is one of two schools in state to offer the leadership and community service course). She also said the school's day care, which is in its first year as a licensed facility, is doing well.
€ approved graduation requirements for White River and Collins high schools. Students at WRHS will need: two credits of math, two credits of English, Washington state history, U.S. history, a physical science, biology, one credit of physical education, one credit of technology, one credit of life skills and five elective credits in the ninth and 10th grade core area studies. A certificate of mastery will be required beginning in the 2007-08 school year. Career Path Studies for 11th and 12th grade includes two credits of career path English, one credit of civics (includes service learning), one credit of physical education, six credits in career path (one occupational credit), two elective credits (one credit of fine art). A senior project will include service learning, technology and presentation.
At Collins High, students will need: 3.5 English credits, 2.5 math credits, two science credits, three credits of social studies, two credits of physical education/health, one credit in occupational education, one credit in fine arts, a half-credit for life skills, careers, technology and careers, five elective credits.
€ gave approval to the facility use and fee schedule, which will be overseen by the Community Activities Program office. The use and fee schedule is for the community's rental and use of the district's classrooms, gymnasiums, auditoriums and athletic fields. Rental fees range from no charge to $200, for example, for a theater event at White River High School.
€ received a quick update from Hodgins on the WRHS bond project. He said about 90 percent of the punch list is complete. There are still issues to be addressed with the mechanical and HVAC control system, security system, ball fields, landscaping and fiber optic cable. Along those lines, the board approved a $137,199 change order to Bayley Construction for the high school. Hodgins said $69,044 will return to the district from insurance coverage for damage during construction. The board also OK'd a $16,000 change order for the central kitchen.
€ signed a resolution joining other districts in King and Pierce counties and leaders from the Puget Sound Educational Service District who have agreed there is a crisis in education that the Legislature needs to examine. The document also recommends while the Legislature is working on a long-term solution, it should repair special education and transportation funding systems so districts can put those monies back to work in the classroom.
€ accepted the retirement of longtime teacher, coach and association leader Trena Page at end of school year. Page began her teaching career at White River 30 years ago.
€ approved payment of bills, the larger ones including Puget Sound Energy, $54,090; the city of Buckley, $13,994; and Green River Community College, $36,785.
€ OK'd out-of-state travel for Wickersham School of Discovery Principal Carolyn Rembert to attend the San Francisco National Association of Elementary School Principals Conference in April.
€ heard from WRHS Associated Student Body members who announced the spring musical will be "Grease," planned for April 23-25. They also informed the board that school has lengthened passing periods to better accommodate students at the larger school.
Brenda Sexton can be reached at bsexton@courierherald.com
