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Rice project talks progress
By Jacob Truchard, Staff Writer
The Rice Consolidated Independent School District Board of Trustees approved further procedures regarding the Rice Junior High project during their Monday, Feb.11 meeting.
Pat Zedo of Bay Architects said the construction of the Rice Junior High School should be completed by July of next year if a contract is declared final by the end of next month.
The board of trustees approved a proposal for the independent code compliance review for the new Rice Junior High School.
Micki Hermann of Feldman, Rogers, Morris & Grover, L.LP. was in attendance to discuss the item with the school board. She said that the Texas Education Agency requires that a third party review drawing plans for the school facility construction work to ensure that the school district is in compliance with codes.
She said the reason for the requirement is because construction is taking place outside of city limits.
Hermann explained that usually a city would ensure that code compliance as part of the permit process as well as the construction process within its jurisdiction.
The board also approved the selection of Drymalla Construction, of Columbus, as the top ranked contractor for the Rice Junior High Project out of three nominees.
The next phase of the project toward the building of the junior high is to work with architects and contractors to agree on a contract.
Zedo said he is confident Drymalla can go forward with the procedure within 16 months.
Other companies that were suggested for the project were Brae Burn Construction and Dyad Constr-uction, both of Houston.
In other business, the school board approved the proposal for electrical engineering services for Eagle Lake Elementary.
"This is not for the work, but for the engineering," said Bill Hefner, Rice CISD assistant superintendent.
Hefner also said that since the building is old and the power supply is not adequate with the new work, the building would have to be rewired.
The estimated cost of the engineering for the electrical work was $14,800.
"Our goal is to get the project bid and get going by spring," Hefner said. "We will shut the school down during the summer to have the work done."
Summer school will take place in Altair during the construction period.
In other business trustees:
Approved order of election for May 10 for expiring terms of board members of the Rice CISD board member positions number six, Betty Schiurring and number seven, Joe Lee Perez.
Approved Textbook adoption. Rice CISD Superintendent Michael Lanier said that this procedure is required by the TEA each year.
Approved Reed & Associates, P.C. as auditors for the year ending Aug. 31 from recommendation made by Hefner.
Approved action to offer school district administrators a two-year contract with the terms that after the two years of the contract, that they will be eligible for a one-year extension every year after that. Lanier said the current procedure is set up where the administrator's contract is looked at every two year after the period of their contract. This goes into effect July of this year.
Identified employment areas which will be affected by Reduction in Force. Lanier said that due to Rice CISD joining the special services COOP with El Campo and Louise. The employees affected are the Rice Special Services employees: clerical secretary, two diagnosticians, special education counselor and a speech therapist. Lanier said the reason for this procedure is because Rice CISD will no longer be the fiscal agent for these employees.
Approved 2007-08 campus improvement plans.
The next Rice CISD school board meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 10.
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