The Chelsea Standard
A Heritage Newspaper
Weekly Publication
Construction budget breaks even; Killips gets favorable review
By Edward Freundl, Staff Writer
PUBLISHED: March 27, 2008
Construction of four kindergarten classrooms at North Creek Elementary School continues on schedule and under budget, but just barely.
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The first round of putting up the building came in at $66,125 less than the budgeted amount of $432,045.
But when the Chelsea School District Board of Education opened bids for the second phase of the project on Monday, that surplus nearly disappeared.
The amount budgeted for the windows, entrances, flooring, lockers, painting, electrical and mechanical work was $420,153; bids came in at $485,660.50.
The result was a razor-thin $617.50 under budget for the entire project.
"We were under budget in the first phase but for this phase we were over, but we're still right on track," Superintendent David Killips said, suggesting that high fuel prices may be partly to blame.
"Transportation costs are really starting to catch up with the industry."
Construction management firm Granger Construction Co recommended approving the bids of nine subcontractors in specialty areas.
The new classrooms became necessary with the district's decision last fall to move to an all-day, every day kindergarten next year.
Being a work session rather than a regular meeting, the other important item of business was a performance evaluation for Killips as required by contract.
Based on results of the very favorable evaluation, the board extended the superintendent's employment contract by one year.
School Board President Laurel McDevitt released this statement to the media, the wording of which had been approved by the board as a whole:
"Superintendent Killips continues to keep a watchful eye toward the steering of our district and has placed us in the enviable position of directing our transition to a full-time kindergarten program and trimesters," the statement read.
"His methods of communicating are effective with the board, staff and community. Communication is never finished and (Killips) continues to provide new avenues for the district administration to interact with the community.
"His continued fiscal management has allowed us to provide for the safety of our youngest students with the office change at North Creek. His prudent and timely bond re-funding has benefited us financially, and we feel that he will continue to be a good financial leader of our district.
"Dave cares about our staff and most importantly he cares about our kids," the statement concluded.
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