School Board approves 2008-09 calendar

COLUMBIA — In other business at Monday night’s Columbia School Board meeting:

• The board approved the 2008-09 school year calendar. The calendar includes six teacher planning and meeting days and three elementary teacher work days.
• The board approved the administration’s recommendation to select Professional Contractors & Engineers, Inc. as the general contractor for the construction of the new elementary school. The local company worked with Columbia Public Schools as the general contractor for Paxton Keeley Elementary School and Lange Middle School. The cost of construction with this company will be $15.7 million, or $566,000 more than the lowest bid — Orf Construction.
• The board approved a recommendation to select Weathercraft, Inc. and Watkins Roofing to repair and/or replace roofs on six buildings. By using two companies to repair or replace roofing at Columbia Area Career Center; Douglass and Hickman high schools; and Lee, Two Mile Prairie and West Boulevard elementary schools, the district will save a maximum of $37,000. The total cost of repairs will be $800,000.
• The board approved a recommendation to select MCR Mid-Continental to repair masonry and tuck-pointing at three elementary schools. The total cost of repairing masonry and tuck-pointing at Grant, Lee and West Boulevard elementary schools is $53,000.
• The board approved a recommendation to select Riggs Recreation Equipment to repair and resurface the tracks at Rock Bridge and Hickman high schools to maintain their integrity and safety. Cost of the project is estimated at $121,000.
• The board approved the recommendation to select GBH Builders to construct a concession stand and restrooms at Rock Bridge High School. The total cost, funded entirely by the Rock Bridge booster club, is $165,000.
• The board voted to adopt a resolution to issue $30 million in general obligation bonds. The proceeds from the sale will be placed in the Capital Projects Fund, and the principal and interest of the bonds will be paid from the Debt Service Fund.
• The board accepted a Math and Science Partnership grant funded through the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education using Title IIB funds. The three-year project is intended to increase student achievement in math.