USD 410 selects Coonrod and Associates for upcoming construction projects years ago
By Josie Bartel
Contributing writer
In a special meeting Sept. 18, USD 410 board of education chose a construction management company for the facility improvement projects.
Three companies, Conco Construction, Coonrod & Associates Construction Company, and Hutton Construction came before the board to present proposals for the projects.
While all three companies had similar qualities, Coonrod & Associates Construction Company eventually was chosen as the construction management company for the three projects.
All three companies said they had the ability to "self-perform" work such as demolition, dirt work, carpentry, etc. Each company would be able to use their own in-house employees and equipment.
"Time is money," and USD 410 is hoping to break ground on the projects by late November. They hope to have all projects completed by the beginning of the 2008-09 school year. This will be accomplished by working through the winter.
In addition to the ability to self-perform work, all three companies are familiar with the area, as all of them have completed projects with the school district and the city.
Conco worked at Hillsboro Middle School. Coonrod & Associates worked on Hillsboro Community Medical Center. Hutton Construction recently finished work on the new Hillsboro MB Church and currently is working with USD 408 Marion-Florence on their projects.
Upon approval of the construction management company, the board then tackled temporary alternative locations for the transportation department (bus parking and repairs), maintenance and custodial supplies, central office, Hillsboro Elementary School office, teacher's workroom, first grade classroom, and weight room.
The following was approved:
— Transportation — Arrangements were made with Gorges Dairy to allow buses to park on the east side of that building. Electrical hookups will need to be installed and the district will pay for the utilities.
— Maintenance and custodial supplies — After transportation items have been moved from the current location, supplies for maintenance and custodial will be moved into the current transportation area. Keith Goossen, head of transportation and maintenance, will have a temporary office in this area.
— Central office — Emprise Bank has offered its basement for $1,000 a month, including use of furniture, basic custodial service, and utilities. However, the central office personnel will still be responsible for setting up a telephone service and network access. Unfortunately, the basement is not handicapped-accessible nor are there available copiers.
It was determined that since a TEEN fiber-optic connection is located at the public library, network access through a wireless connection could be established from there.
— HES office, teachers' workroom, first grade classroom — By moving the central office as soon as possible, the elementary school office, teachers' workroom, and first grade classroom could utilize the vacated space.
It is highly likely that the first grade classroom would move into Superintendent Doug Huxman's current office. Huxman said it will be a tight fit, but sees it as one of the only options available.
However, meetings held in HES principal Evan Yoder's office and students in the classroom will have to adjust to distractions caused by the ongoing construction.
— Weight room — Athletic director Max Heinrichs and vocational agriculture teacher Sonya Roberts reached an agreement to move all weight room equipment into the west part of the vo-ag area. Roberts' only concern was her students being able to move their projects in and out as needed with no difficulty.
"Making these moves are a blessing," board president Rod Koons said.
