W. Greene prepares for summer projects
GRAYSVILLE – West Greene School Board approved several agenda items Thursday to prepare for the district’s summer construction projects, which will include the renovation of the middle-senior high school and construction of an elementary center.
The board awarded contracts in February for more than $3.1 million for work that will be completed this summer at the middle-senior high school.
The projects will include installation of a new heating and air conditioning system, electrical work and renovations to the kitchen, office of student services and the south wing’s second floor.
The board also is soliciting bids for construction of the new elementary addition that will be built at the middle-senior high and is estimated to cost $15 million.
Work at the middle-senior high school is expected to begin following the last day of school, May 30.
The board voted 6-3 to allow contractors to work in the school from 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. Sunday through Thursday beginning May 5 to inspect work areas in preparation for construction. The motion specified an employee with URS, the project manager, must be on-site during those times.
The motion had been discussed at a pre-board meeting, and the reasons some members opposed it were not stated during the regular meeting.
The board also accepted a proposal from Go Mini for eight 16-foot storage containers that will be used to store items from the middle-senior high school while the work is under way. The cost is $6,768.
The board failed to approve a motion to have Vesely Brothers move weight-room equipment from the middle-senior high to the Graysville School for the summer at a cost of $10,920. Board member Joe Coss said he believed the district could find another way to move the equipment.
In preparation for construction of the addition, the board approved an agreement with the Jacktown Fair Board, which will accept fill dirt at the Jacktown Fairgrounds that is excavated for the elementary center. The board also approved paying $1,950 for the permit that will be needed at the fairgrounds.
The board failed to approve paying its architect, Hayes Design Group, $2,000 to incorporate information regarding the fairground site into bid documents.
Board member Greta Mooney said disposal of the fill should have been included in the scope of the project covered by the architect’s agreement. An architect representative noted, however, disposal of fill is normally an obligation of the contractor and not part of the architect’s agreement, though the district’s decision to use the fairgrounds did provide a savings.
The board also authorized the administration to hire a contractor to excavate an area near the proposed entrance to the elementary center for a line of site study that must be completed to obtain a road entrance permit from the state Department of Transportation.
In other business, the board approved its first donation to the West Greene Pioneer Project for the school construction project by Chapman Corp. The corporation donated $10,000.
Board member Kelly Loughman thanked the locally owned company for its support of the district. She also said Vantage Energy Co. has made a commitment of $50,000 to the fund.
Loughman said letters seeking donations had been mailed to a number of local businesses, and the district will also be contacting other businesses and alumni in the future to request donations. Information on the fund is on the district’s website.
The board accepted the resignation of Zachary Dillow, assistant principal at the middle-senior high school, effective July 1. Dillow, who started in the district in January 2012, is taking a job in Albert Gallatin School District. Dillow thanked the board for giving him the opportunity to work in the district.
The board voted to retain Peacock, Keller & Ecker as school solicitor for 2013-14 at an annual retainer of $3,000.
It also approved West Virginia University Research Corp. to provide athletic trainers to the district at a cost of $17,350; Cornerstone Care to provide a school physician at a cost of $4,500; Dr. David Szarell to provide dental services at a cost of $495; and EMS Southwest to provide ambulance services at $75 an hour for basic life support and $95 an hour for advanced life support.