[{"_1":2,"_100":-5,"_101":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6316261,"mediaKeyId","2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0","parentId",2377286,"title","Galena board approves 15 contracts to start high school project; district reports roughly $1.1M shortfall after value engineering","audioSeconds",1319,"startMs",2716000,"endMs",4035000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0&start=2716&end=4035","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0/thumbnail_2716000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6316261/Alaska/Galena-board-approves-15-contracts-to-start-high-school-project-district-reports-roughly-11M-shortfall-after-value-engineering","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316261-43481e15fc190610f27beb9bfee74619/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054403&Signature=Y0iWG30J1kLLarmw3Uo34dwuymwWdzYTjv5gP-PSZoWhqdcb~fepp4nB4KhaPr5E3-KamhYsLmuWIIP1qsLwe58U2HBO88nIn9iJLTbIsP4sMDCJhK2W9vDO6WLrbH2tkXjzGz8I2c5k7kRbxNgQn1ZNiQqxHr2p6O66F45PUpNVdoSd8HG7IJ8r96oyhutPk67XkdE0PXdWmNBy831UDLfApA7sCGy92yl~WUUtM5gxrw5hX4AP9pY3mZwZEGHYU8datJGCY~AmrELB3IVK3SKZnS7zZ0Ej5yWpSLxror5JiwzKop120UH-Bs6rJnV-PsdRDUKXIzSRstaZE7tS5w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Galena Stream","date","2025-02-18T00:00:00Z","article","The Galena City School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 approved 15 contract awards and related permits to begin the Galena High School renovation and construction project, after district project managers told the board the full bid set initially came in substantially over estimates.

District staff said bids for the project opened Feb. 6 (39 bid packages, 88 offers received). Staff reported three packages (epoxy flooring, elevators and fencing) received no bids and that the initial tally of all bids exceeded earlier estimates by roughly $16 million. The project team said they reduced that gap by about $2 million through value engineering and expect approximately $1.2 million in geothermal-related tax credits; after those adjustments staff estimated a remaining overrun in the neighborhood of $1.1 million that the district can cover from interest earnings and earmarked referendum funds.

The board separately approved related items required to start construction: a one-year extension option for TC Networks technology services (with a 4 percent increase), acceptance of a builder's-risk insurance proposal (board approved a not-to-exceed amount as presented), and regional construction permits required by the Regional Office of Education following City of Galena PUD approval.

The 15 contract awards approved by the board this evening (all approved by roll call, 6–0 unless noted) included: demolition and abatement contractors (Law Excavating Inc.; Hogan Environmental Cleaning; Fisher Excavating Inc.), concrete and precast suppliers (Jack Cole Construction; MidStates Concrete Industries), masonry (BNB Masonry & Restoration), structural steel suppliers and erectors (Bradley Ironworks; Area Erectors Inc.), food service equipment (Rapid Food Service), fire suppression (Nelson Fire Protection), plumbing (Commercial Mechanical), HVAC (Loescher Heating & Air Conditioning), electrical (Westfall & Company), excavation (Myers Excavating LLC) and aggregate/foundation work (CNC Foundations Inc.).

Board members and the project team discussed cost drivers and timing: abatement costs were reported about $800,000 over initial estimates; geothermal well-field work about $1,000,000 over; and electrical about $607,000 over. Staff described one value-engineering change — replacing flared roofs with flat roofs — that trimmed roughly $300,000 from the overage. Project managers also explained market constraints: many specialty trades had limited capacity (one well-field bidder, a tight abatement market), and an Illinois preference law affected bidders on some packages.

On schedule impact, staff said approving the initial 15 packages will not delay the project. The remaining bid packages are valid through April 7 and staff will continue value engineering and rebidding where necessary; the board asked staff to return with updates in March.

Actions taken (selected): the board approved demolition Phase 1 to Law Excavating Inc.; abatement to Hogan Environmental Cleaning; demolition Phase 2 to Fisher Excavating Inc.; concrete and precast contracts; structural steel awards; and mechanical/electrical contracts required to start construction. Each individual award was approved by roll call as listed in the board packet.

Why it matters: The approvals allow construction to begin on a project the board has previously authorized and at scale will change the campus footprint, disrupt parking and traffic during construction, and commit district construction funds. Staff said the district can cover the current overrun without drawing on operating reserves by applying higher-than-expected interest earnings on district CDs, recent referendum receipts and a planned contingency.

Next steps: Staff will continue value engineering on the remaining bid packages, pursue geothermal tax credits and bring further contract awards back to the board. The district will also coordinate abatement and drilling timing to limit summer schedule conflicts and re-seeding of athletic fields.

Board vote and timing: The board approved the 15 contracts and related items in a series of roll-call votes, generally unanimous. Project managers asked the board to approve the first tranche of contracts so work can begin while staff continues to reduce overall cost exposure.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2.18.25 school board meeting","oneSentenceSummary","The Galena City School District Board on Feb. 12 approved 15 initial contracts and related permits to begin the Galena High School renovation after district staff reported bids came in over estimates and outlined value-engineering steps to reduce costs.","taxTitle","Galena City School District, School Districts, Alaska","taxId",66981,"location","Alaska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316266,"Galena board approves expansion of high school business program, moves teacher to full time",490,1760000,2250000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0&start=1760&end=2250","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0/thumbnail_1760000.jpg","/articles/6316266/Alaska/Galena-board-approves-expansion-of-high-school-business-program-moves-teacher-to-full-time","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316266-c9f342eaa4589bea42ce1edce5125e72/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054403&Signature=ZmlogX8ruqsIWN58KxlqyDFLUG5vY9R6GJL-Gqq8GLeTQqy1KD~x4mYl62yEXxeJNViGGbI4LL~wke~XUI9ZRe8mr6Dt6bcqGi6LxlaNjw9Q4ZFAV7XslMdZPGSbM2QQNNvKUmxocsgl8iKl6Ls7s8lmFfHyC4a9e7NstWAS7WtSRZwG8sP1Vr-j8HjZCeSLfZOK7R9oJgR543vMdRZtJLS2hUs3za5~MAPjg55VYJWmbPk9gUpLiQ557SZvZbedVRcIyFqG5YQ5A-ACsf3llReYMC8PlxmtgDwkoRmld9olSVy6AyYnpsJ5JM5aGuOME1MGl1mzk0syix9Pf4~46g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Galena City School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 voted unanimously to approve the 2025–26 Galena High School business program and to move the school's business teacher from 0.83 full-time equivalent to a full-time position.

School administrator Mrs. Hawkins told the board the program has quickly expanded since the district hired Miss Stewart this year and said 62 students have already requested the Intro to Business course for next year. Hawkins said two business courses have already been approved for dual credit through Highland Community College, with a third dual-credit course planned for a later year.

The board's action allows the business teacher to teach five business courses next year (moving toward a six-course full-time load) and to continue growing the cooperative workplace learning program and FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America) participation. The motion to approve the 2025–26 business program was made by Board Member John, seconded by Board Member Mike, and passed on a 6–0 roll call.

Why it matters: Board members said expanding the business program gives students both workplace credit and potential college credit, and creates a new internal career pathway the school can list on diplomas. The district noted the program supports career readiness and local workforce partnerships — examples include students placed with local electricians and construction employers through the cooperative program.

Details the board discussed: Miss Stewart currently supervises workplace-learning students one day per month to build resumes and observe students on the job; the district plans to run business communication and accounting on alternating years so students can access multiple courses and dual-credit opportunities; and the new business pathway would be the district's first internally administered business credential (the district already holds pathways in nursing, construction and education via CTE).

Board vote and next steps: The board approved the program so schedules could be finalized before course registration. Mrs. Hawkins said the district will continue to build employer partnerships and publicize the dual-credit opportunities to increase enrollment.

Closing note: The approval was procedural and unanimous; the board did not alter course content during the vote and directed staff to implement the program as presented.","The Galena City School District Board unanimously approved the 2025–26 Galena High School business course schedule and expansion that would convert the current 0.83 FTE business teacher to full time and offer dual-credit classes through Highland Community College.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6316258,"Galena board accepts several donations, approves rental agreement and routine contracts",320,2307000,2627000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0&start=2307&end=2627","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2377286-715b37f4ac6cefc70444a4f66150aea0/thumbnail_2307000.jpg","/articles/6316258/Alaska/Galena-board-accepts-several-donations-approves-rental-agreement-and-routine-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6316258-391930e41d014f530d1b02925fd2e766/orig.mp4?Expires=1776054403&Signature=WjMmQpEEd2Sl98CjdZmJqoc4GItEX-8YhPT3BLw5vQYNLzxqskM5kj8w4uBiKEeX4XkBphXz285JGJCpQSJci~tUd9c~oId~zuJUTzx9d0Wi1yEHk0hLXPB~abqsCC8rGBSNtEaBklNuc2sfjM0gvGXSJXUw-7j86Wy7ps93ZhUBVoP12fQ4zpC6y6Vm0Y1cnXKdzk2-u5hvPGqfUpXmKYsLozP5MMmdd4UssAjxDqcRv0Y-MMqu76y-sumN3UvyNxiiJP~qC~VVJ~PML6Jg11RVaAtTnLHRm~cT5qDKEnbrKSyifTsUAgDqvSNpo6HF3vcc2sToqyc4JdWo4hYpew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Galena City School District Board of Education on Feb. 12 unanimously accepted multiple donations, approved the consent agenda and authorized a temporary rental agreement for football games while the district's field is unavailable during construction.

Donations the board accepted included $500 from John and Dorothy Drew designated for student programs with greatest need in the Pirate Pantry; $1,000 from Tara and Derek Dugan for the community chest; and $1,480.54 from First Community Bank of Galena (percentage deposit). Each donation was moved, seconded and approved by roll call.

The board also approved a consent agenda of routine items and accepted a recommendation to rent nearby Southwestern School District's field for the 2025 home football schedule (the neighboring district waived rental fees for one game, staff said). Board members thanked Southwestern for the arrangement that keeps most contests close to home during construction.

Other routine approvals included acceptance of technology-services contract extension (TC Networks) and multiple procurement and purchasing items listed on the meeting consent agenda. Each of these actions passed on roll-call votes recorded in the board packet.

Why it matters: These are routine but necessary administrative votes that fund student supports, maintain scheduled athletic events during construction and preserve continuity of district services while the high school project proceeds.

Closing: The motions were approved unanimously and board members emphasized community support and cooperation with neighboring districts while campus construction begins.","The board approved donations totaling several thousand dollars to student programs, accepted a consent agenda of routine items, and authorized a rental agreement for home football games while the district's field is under construction.","actionData","errors"]

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Galena board approves 15 contracts to start high school project; district reports roughly $1.1M shortfall after value engineering

Galena board approves expansion of high school business program, moves teacher to full time

Galena board accepts several donations, approves rental agreement and routine contracts