NCSD board to send admin building project out for bid

Now that the design phase of a major Newton Community School District renovation project appears to be wrapping up, it’s time for the board of education to put the project out for bid.

At Monday’s regular meeting, set for 6:30 p.m. at the Emerson Hough conference room, a few of the agenda items are related to the renovation of the future administration building. The agenda includes a consideration to approve construction documents and to authorize the architect — FRK Architects & Engineers of Des Moines — to receive bids for the Newton Administration Center, as the building is now titled.

The agenda also calls for the board to set a hearing date for bids to perform the contracted work on the remodel project. The proposed date on the agenda is at the board’s regular Sept. 14 meeting at 6:30 p.m. at Emerson Hough.

At its May 18 meeting, the board approved $2.425 million in categorized fund expenditures on the remodeling of the former Hy-Vee building, with FRK to design the plans with NCSD staff input. The building will house administration offices, professional development meeting areas and the Basics & Beyond and DEP programs.

Director of K-8 Curriculum and Aurora Heights Principal Jim Gilbert is set to present on at least three different subjects at Monday’s meeting. He’ll discuss 2014-15 Iowa Assessments information as well as report on the recently completed “Jump Start” and “Super Reader” summer programs.

Bob Williams of Buena Vista University will present on a recently completed summer reading program. There will be reports on the district’s recent administrative retreat and the 40th annual School Administrators of Iowa Conference.

For the first time in many months, the board will address one of its policies at a regular meeting. The board will discuss “Board Policy 902.2: Requests for Improvements/Emergency Repairs.”

Superintendent Bob Callaghan will provide and update on the H.A. Lynn press box project, he’ll discuss some upcoming back-to-school events.

The board will consider approval of membership in the Mid-Iowa School Improvement Consortium.

A school board election update will be given by Callaghan. One of the five candidates for the three board seats up for the Sept. 8 election has dropped out, leaving challengers Josh Cantu and Ann Leonard and incumbents Donna Cook and Bill Perrenoud in the race.

The board’s final meeting of its two-year term is set for Aug. 24. The first meeting after the election is set for Sept. 14.

Contact Jason W. Brooks at 641-792-3121 ext. 6532 or jbrooks@newtondailynews.com