New childhood center to open in early 2020

Nick Johansen

The Red Oak Express

The Red Oak School Board is moving forward with plans for the new early childhood center at the former Washington Intermediate building.

The board began its Sept. 23 meeting with a public hearing on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract, and the estimated total cost for the renovation package for the building’s renovation. No oral or written comments were received.

Mark Pfister, representing Boyd Jones, shared the details of the project, which is being considered in five stages, with the second through fifth stage optional.

The first phase includes the four north classrooms of the existing Washington building, and the four east classrooms of the new portion of the Washington building.

On the old Washington side, plans call for taking the four classrooms and renovating them to the child care component. Rehab includes carpet, ceilings, lighting, heating and cooling, new cabinetry, and sinks, as well as insulation work to the north wall.

“The type of contract will be similar to that of the high school. We’ll be bidding out to one prime contractor, instead of multiple contractors, and Boyd Jones will be the general manager of the project. The expected budget for that portion of the project is $614,000,” Pfister said.

Pfister said the first phase has a substantial completion date of Dec. 1, and the completion date for the construction alternate phases was the middle of next year.

“Our suggestion is to get the first phase done and opened up in advance of the first of next year, and then in the second semester, a combination of some of the alternate phases, with the work ongoing into the summer. The only phase with a set completion date is phase one,” said Pfister.

Additionally, Pfister said they would have projects wrapped up at the high school, which would give them a clearer picture of the district’s finances looking ahead to the other phases of the project.

The board approved a resolution formally approving and adopting the plans, specifications, form of contract, and the estimated total cost of the renovation package.

The board then discussed a resolution awarding the bid to the lowest responsive, responsible bidder on the renovation package. Pfister said his recommendation was to award the contract to Building Crafts.

The board approved the resolution awarding the bid to Building Crafts, as presented.

Work continues on the building, with concrete being poured in the playground area of the school.