Feb 28, 2013 3 min read

ROGERSVILLE – West Greene School Board awarded contracts Thursday totaling more than $3.1 million for work that will be completed this summer as part of the middle-senior high school renovation project.

The work that will be done will require the district to restrict access to the middle-senior high school campus, a matter which concerned several parents who attended the meeting and whose children use the facilities during the summer for activities such as band and athletics.

Renovations at the school began last summer and will continue this year with the 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 contracts, including alternates, totaled $3,194,340.

The board awarded contracts to Kusevich Contracting Inc., the general contract, $975,690; Professional Mechanical Sales and Services Inc., mechanical construction, $1,442,000; Tedesco Construction Co., plumbing, $87,500; and Vern’s Electric, electrical construction, $610,995.

The contracts were awarded for asbestos abatement to Bristol Response Inc., $44,000; and for moving furniture, Besely Brothers, $34,155.

The board also approved the fee for the architect, Hayes Design Group, to provide construction administration services for the summer project. The fee, which is not included in the construction contract total, is for $106,500.

The board approved a motion restricting access to the middle-senior high campus for the construction from June 1 through Aug. 19.

Several parents addressed the board about the matter prior to the vote.

Crystal Jackson told the board she was concerned how the closing would affect activities normally held at the school during the summer months.

Another woman said it was important student athletes have a place for training and conditioning in the summer in preparation for fall sports.

Alternative plans are being considered by the board, board member Kelly Loughman told parents.

“We’re not going to leave the students hanging,” she said. Students will have a place to participate in normal summer activities.

Loughman said later that the board has been discussing options for summer activities for the last few months and is considering possibly holding “camps” or conducting activities at the Graysville school.

Board President Regina MacDowell also said summer programs will continue. “Under no circumstances are these activities going to cease,” she said.

MacDowell urged the parents to attend the board’s building and site committee meeting, at which plans for the summer work are discussed.

Two board members, Greta Mooney and Shelia Simms, voted against the motion restricting access to school.

In other action, the board authorized the architect to advertise bids for the construction of the new elementary addition at the middle-senior high, contingent on certain permit approvals. That project is estimated at $15 million.

The board intends to close its two existing elementary schools and consolidate all elementary classes in the new addition.