AMPI building and new athletic facility on hold for time being 

Unified School District 410 approved bids Monday for civil engineering and geotechnical services for two projects authorized in the June bond election.

That vote, which excluded approving those services for the transportation facility and central office at the former AMPI building, came after the board met in executive session with architects Kevin Helmer and David Riffel to discussion property acquisition.

“We need to discuss engineering bids,” Helmer said prior to the executive session. “Otherwise it will slow everything down.”

Civil engineers determine the infrastructure for utilities while geotechnical services include recommendations for building foundations, Helmer said.

The firm Howard & Helmer does not provide those services, but will coordinate the work. The agreement is through USD 410 and must be approved by the board.

The bids—$14,400 for Baughman Co. for $14,400 and $3,000 Allied Laboratories— will allow projects at the Hillsboro Elementary School and the Hillsboro High School/Hillsboro Middle School to keep somewhat on track, Helmer said.

Delays will have an impact on costs as well as scheduling sub-contractors, he added.

Work on the athletic facility at Tabor College has been halted because of litigation. No additional information was available at the meeting concerning the lawsuit against the district.

Doug Huxman, who officially begins his tenure as superintendent Aug. 1, facilitated the meeting.

Former superintendent Gordon Mohn had begun a discussion about options to comply with the new law requiring each member district be at least 5 percent above or 5 percent below the mean population of all board member districts within the school district.

Board members indicated they still preferred making one rural district and two districts within the city of Hillsboro.

Board member Mark Rooker was absent.

HHS principal Dale Honeck was the only building administrator to give a report to the board. He reviewed issues related to absences in his building.

Transportation director Keith Goossen reported on vehicle usage for buses and other district vehicles for the past year as well as a replacement plan for anticipated needs.

The board approved his request to begin the bidding process for two new buses for the upcoming school year. In other business the board:

■ reappointed Rod Koons as board president and Eddie Weber as vice president for 2007- 08.

■ set the 2007-08 meal prices, and student and textbook fees the same as 2006-07.

■ reappointed Debbie Geis as Marion County Special Education Cooperative representative and Eddie Weber alternate representative, Mark Rooker as TEEN representative, Rod Koons as chief negotiator and Dale Klassen as assistant negotiator, Gary Andrews as Professional Development Council representative, and Brent Barkman as Kansas Association of School Boards representative.

■ approved dues of $7,381 for the district’s 2007-08 membership in KASB and $1,100 for participation in the organization’s legal assistance fund.

■ approved the document that outlined contract information for classified personnel.

■ approved changes in the district’s 403(b) tax sheltered account plan.

■ approved a bid from Jantz Construction to replace the sidewalk between HHS and HMS for $19,925. The improvements include installation of heating elements to eliminate hazardous conditions during winter.

■ approved payment of bills that included legal fees for $5,906.

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