Board accepts construction contracts… LHS remodeling project to begin

by Jan Hansen

The Lisbon School Board met in special session on Tuesday, April 22, to award contracts for a ceiling, diffuser, and lighting replacement project to be done in the high school building this summer. The project is the first phase of an extensive remodeling project planned for the high school building, which was built in 1971. 

Tabulations of bids opened on Thursday, April 10, as provided by Patrick DeLaPointe CCS, Foss Architecture & Interiors, Fargo, were reviewed by the board.

The only bid received on the ceiling work was from Flament-Ulman, Inc., Moorhead, Minn. That base bid, for $42,000.00, was right at the estimate, according to Superintendent Steven Johnson. The contractor also included an alternate bid, which was $25,000.00 higher, but would include replacement of the building’s skylight. DeLaPointe, architect, recommended that the board accept the $42,000.00 base bid, but suggested that the board hold off on the skylight replacement for now. He suggested that it might be able to be incorporated with a future re-roofing project. Superintendent Steven Johnson said he agreed with the architect’s recommendations. 

After further consideration, Kara Carter made a motion to accept the base bid on the ceiling work portion of the project as recommended. Cindy Nims seconded the motion which carried with Carter, Nims, Terry Thompson, and Tim Mairs voting “Aye.” Rory Lien was absent and not voting.

Bids on the mechanical work were then discussed. Ten bids were received, with the lowest being $11,650.00  from Bakkegard and Schell, Inc., Valley City. Johnson commented that the bid, which had been confirmed by the contractor when contacted by the architect, was $14,000.00 below the estimate. Thompson made a motion to accept the bid as recommended by both Johnson and DeLaPointe. Nims seconded the motion which passed with Thompson, Nims, Carter, and Mairs voting in favor. 

The lowest acceptable bid for the electrical portion of the project was from Enterprise Electric, Inc., Valley City. Their base bid came in at $70,828.00, with an alternate $65,100.00 addition for a structured data cabling system which would include an audio-video system and television distribution capability.  

It was explained by DeLaPointe that another bid was slightly lower. However, due to the contractor’s failure to provide a copy of the electrical license with their bid bond, as required by North Dakota Century Code, the board could not legally accept that bid or award the contract to that company.

Carter moved to accept the $70,828.00 base bid plus the alternate bid for $65,100.00 from Enterprise Electric, Inc. The motion was seconded by Thompson and passed with Carter, Thompson, Nims, and Mairs voting “Yes.”

Johnson explained that the cabling system covered in the alternate bid which was accepted would make it possible to use the new equipment provided for the school through the $20,000 science grant written by science instructor, Mrs. Barb Sweet. It would also get all other high school classrooms ready for more sophisticated audio-visual equipment, would allow monitors to be installed in the hallways, and a projector and screen to be installed in the commons area.

Johnson went on to state that phase two of the remodeling project for the high school, which would include installation of new floor covering and painting of the entire interior, would take place next summer. The cost of the two phases of the remodeling project is estimated at $600,000.00. 

The only other item on the agenda was the teaching contract of Mrs. Linda Schroeder, Middle School English teacher and librarian. Schroeder had requested a short extension for signing her contract. The contract has since been signed and returned. Nims moved to accept the contract. The motion was seconded by Thompson and carried with a unanimous vote of those present.