Granville County School Board approves contract to rebuild South Granville High parking lot

The Granville County School board on a special called teleconference at 4:00 p.m. approved a contract to reconstruct the front parking area at South Granville High School, citing severe pavement failure, drainage problems and a redesign to improve traffic flow and accessibility.

Dr. Winborn, speaking to the board, said the district called the special meeting “because we needed to act as quickly as possible on approving this contract, so that we would have as much time as possible this summer … to get it completed prior to the start of the school year.”

Board members were presented with plans prepared by REI Engineers and a bid tabulation that showed three offers: Ruston Paving (base bid listed in the tabulation at $1,324,000), a bidder shown as Caroline Site at $1,350,000, and Turner Asphalt at $1,678,000. The engineering estimate had ranged about $1.2 million to $1.3 million, the district said. During the motion to award, a board member misstated the award amount as $1,300,000 and referred to a bidder name as “Ralston Paving”; the district’s bid tabulation is the official record of submitted bids.

The project, described by district staff, will replace the pavement in the front and side parking areas, correct drainage problems, add signage and landscaping, reconfigure islands and curbs to improve traffic flow and add or restripe parking within the same footprint. District staff said all work will include painting and be compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The board was told that heavier foundational material will be used where buses park because the original base was inadequate.

Mike Carroll, the district’s director of maintenance, said the planned back-of-school construction — including a rebuilt weight room and an agricultural department barn — is the reason the district limited this phase to the front and side lots. "We just didn't want to put nice new fresh asphalt down around the back and then it get damaged and destroyed by the work that's still going on," Carroll said. He also confirmed ongoing work related to old fuel tanks and that contractors are aware the district needs the lot operational by the first day of school; some finishing touches may continue after classes begin.

Board members asked about the bid process and contractor qualifications. Dr. Winborn and Carroll said REI Engineers carried out the design and oversaw an advertised bid process; they told the board the engineering firm also reviewed unit prices and contractor reputations before recommending award.

A motion to award the contract to the lowest qualified bidder was made by Miss Ross and seconded by Miss Ansley. In a roll call the members present affirmed the award (those who verbally recorded agreement in the teleconference: Miss Russell, Miss Hayes, Miss Anderson, Miss Waters, Liz, and Miss Baker). The board chair announced the motion carried.

District staff thanked maintenance and facilities staff for months of work on the project and reminded the board that phase 2, covering the rear parking areas, will return for formal bidding after the weight room and related construction are complete.

The board adjourned following the vote.