by Sharon Michaels
WORDEN -The taxable General Obligation School Building Bonds, Series 2009 Qualified School Construction Bonds for financing the the $9,750,000 Huntley Project School successfully closed today, Supt. Wes Coy reported to the school board on Tuesday, Dec. 15.
In an e-mail sent by Bridget Ekstrom with D.A. Davidson, the district received a special thanks for their diligent work at every step and thoroughly reading hundreds of pages of documents through the process — which often does not occur, she stated.
Clerk Rita Huck and Coy met with Kevin Brown with Travelers Insurance on the updated status for the loss of the school. Currently, payments totaling $7,556,315.83 have been issued, reported Brown. The business income loss is not fully evaluated but the district is in the process of providing financial documentation.
Based on the Fisher Construction projected schedule, the completion date for the building should be Nov. 17, 2010.
In approving the district warrants, board member Larry Peabody asked, “Why is our cost of power so high in the elementary?”
Huck said that electricity had taken a 12.5 percent increase.
“We had the new lighting installed and also had an energy audit. I can’t believe it would be that high,” responded Peabody.
Huck said she would do a comparison study.
Chairman Mark Fox asked if Fisher Construction had used any power from the elementary. Rita said no.
President Terry Sukut of JGA Architects said he would check with an engineer analysis on the lighting upgrade.
“We are moving right along and the approval on building code permits from the state is still pending,” reported Sukut. “We should hear from them soon. We are sticking to schedule,” he added.
Fox asked about the Legacy Grant to assist the school funding. Coy told him he would be attending the meeting on Friday and report back to the board.
Brent Sumner of Fisher Construction updated the board on the foundation for the new school. He reported, “In preparation for the removal of the old foundation, we discovered a foundation that was buried under the high school parking lot from the old junior high that needs to be removed. The weather right now is stopping us, but possibly will change soon.”
The board reviewed the update on the current budget year prepared by Huck. Coy told the board, “We are doing well, but unless the government helps with the funding of schools within the next two years, we may run into tough times just like the Billings schools are right now.”
At the recommendation of Coy, the board approved the hiring of John Phillips with Facility Improvement Corp. of Great Falls to represent the school as commissioner for the new school. A commissioner oversees the work of the mechanical and electrical engineers and checks on the scope of work. The district had two bids and chose Phillips because he had the lower bid at $44,200 and has a lot of experience.
Supt. Coy obtained an appraisal from Advanced Appraisal on the Dassinger property. The district has been interested for some time in purchasing this property because it is located just north of the district’s property. The comparative market analysis appraisal was at $140,000 and the cost analysis was $170,000. The asking price is $200,000. The board asked Coy to make an offer.
The board accepted the resignation of special education teacher Janet Euell, effective the end of the year. “Euell has been with the school for 30 plus years and we will miss her,” said Coy.
Trevor Case was offered a contract as assistant wrestling coach. Gene Hammet, the previous assistant, has resigned due to health reasons, reported Coy.
The board’s next meeting is scheduled Monday, Dec. 21, at 6:30 p.m.
