Monday, March 17, 2008

Board Agenda - Construction, Construction, Construction

There is a School Board Meeting tonight and it seems there are several projects up for approval (each project must be sent to the state and approved then they acknowledge receipt of the approval before putting it out to bid and awarding the bid):
  • Receipt from state for MS Soccer Field Re-grading: $75,000
  • Submit to state for MS Re-configuration of rooms and lockers: $269,000
  • Submit to state Bushkill floor repairs: $58,500
  • Submit to state Bushkill, LNES, and Shafer playground underdrains: $50,000
I believe the final item is awarding the contract for the soccer field re-grading to Georgia Golf Construction in the amount of $78,000.

Amazingly, I don't believe those fields are more than eight maybe six years old and they need to be redone (the school opened in 2000, but the fields were a year or so later).

8 comments:

Brad Moulton said...

I am unable to attend tonight's meeting, but was wondering if anybody remembered the discussion regarding the regrading of the MS soccer fields...

IIRC, the $75K amount quoted was much discussed and it was (almost) "universally" agreed that this amount was WAY above what the board would expect for "pushing dirt around". In fact, the comment was made that they would request the full $75K if only to avoid requesting a smaller amount and then having to go back and request more. But the point of the discussion (again, IIRC) was to assure us that they expected the costs to be much lower.

But now, it looks like it turns out (based on Alternate No. 1... someone ask what exactly we're getting please?) that they're going to spend the full $75K plus an additional 4%.

I wish I could be there tonight to ask, but I'm starting to feel like it wouldn't matter anyway...

Unknown said...

What time / where is the school board meeting?

The calendar page on the borough's website doesn't even show up in my browser - Safari.

$78,000 to re-grade and seed a field?!
Is this to be seeded or sodded?
Is that included?

How do all these get paid for, school tax, state grants, etc?

RossRN said...

board meetings are in the admin building (around the back of the HS in what was for a few years the junior high) and they begin at 7:30 p.m.

All money is paid from school taxes, except when we take bonds out in which case we pay off the debt from our taxes.

I'm not aware of any state grants.

Brad Moulton said...

Sodded, re-sodded? Who knows?

I do know that at the last school board meeting this issue was brought up and discussed. During those discussions, it was mentioned that they expected the actual expenditure to be "much less" than the full $75K. I think the thinking at that time was that they were going to remove the sod from the sunken corner and then re-use it after they regraded ("filled the hole") with dirt/topsoil that they already had from ongoing projects.

It was well conveyed to the board and the public that they fully expected the cost to be much less than $75K.

Who cares? After all, it's only $75K. Well, I for one just find it kind of hypocritcal for the board/admin to be spending money on this project when we are looking at MULTI-MILLION dollar budget deficits over the next 5 years.

Let's spend the money on educational matters. Or better yet, save it for when we really need it.

Unknown said...

Or better yet, just fill the hole and reseed it.

75 grand! On a field!

Are we hosting the Olympics here or did I miss something?

ryan said...

stilfx--

good post.. totally agree on this one.. 75 grand for dirt.. hmmm.. well what can one do..it must be screened topsoil.. it used to be 100 bucks a yard, you do the math--

in reality, think how can a swimming pool cost 7 million? seriously its concrete and some plumbing, with water.. the excavating is already done.. 7 million-- thats probably twice as much money as you and i will make in our entire lives- combined..

no we are not hosting the olympics, but one would think we are. some also might think we are hosting the super bowl in 2010 with our 2 million dollar football field.

and last but not least, it is still called Nazareth High School, rumors are afloat it might be the University of Nazareth in a few years!

Brad Moulton said...

Ryan/Stilfx-

Since I wasn't at the meeting, I can only speculate, but I would concur with your thought that for that amount on money it must be screened topsoil.

The thing of it is... at the last meeting they specifically talked about using topsoil that they ALREADY have from previous/ongoing projects.

I am curious to find out exactly what "Alternate No.1" means and if indeed the board did approve this on Monday.

Wait. I only really need to know the answer to the first part of my last statement. If anything, I already know the answer to the second.

justmyopinion said...

Brad et al

Faciilities resolutions were not voted on at Mondays mtg just up for board consideration

they will be voted on this coming monday 3/24

no one questionned the items up for consideration

I brought up the subject of the soccer field and what the cost entailed at last months mtg and a board member further questionned the 75K again towards the end of the mtg and yes I remember it being said that they expected it to be less than that # ---

I too feel it seems to be an awful lot of cake to throw at regrading a field