Lyon County trustees approve $2.06 million perimeter-fencing and door upgrade contract for three high schools

The Lyon County School District Board of Trustees voted 7–0 to approve a $1,986,300 base bid from Simerson Construction LLC and a $73,450 staking and materials testing proposal from Loomis and Associates, resulting in a combined contract total of $2,059,750 for perimeter fencing, exterior door improvements and related site work at Yerington, Fernley and Dayton high schools.

Executive Director of Operations Carmen Baines told trustees the single-contract approach bundles fencing, exterior doors, concrete repairs and asphalt work to make the work more efficient and to complete as much as possible during the summer. “This project provides numerous benefits enhancing overall security, safety of all 3 campuses,” Baines said. “It provides fencing doors that encloses campuses and forces all visitors to enter through the front door.”

The board’s vote followed questions about competition, timing and cost increases. Baines said the district published the request for proposals under Nevada Revised Statutes chapter 338 and held a pre-bid conference; the district received one responsive bid. She told trustees the district placed notices in regional papers and on the contractors board and that contractors had “several weeks” to submit proposals.

Trustees pressed staff on why the cost had risen since the district requested budget authority in May 2024. Baines and other operations staff said the May estimate covered fencing only; the current bid added exterior door replacements at Fernley and Dayton high schools, removal of brush and damaged concrete, asphalt repair and other site work that was not in the earlier scope. Baines said crews also uncovered a buried, decades-old electrical “Christie box” with aluminum wiring that expanded the project’s scope when utilities work became necessary.

Trustees asked about subcontracting, timeline and contractor markups. Baines said Simerson, as the general contractor, will hire specialty subcontractors named in the bid: Artistic (fencing) and Morgan (concrete), among others. She said the district plans to do the bulk of the work over the summer to avoid disrupting campuses with large student populations; a firm schedule will be developed if the board approves the contract. On markups, Baines said the $1,986,300 base bid is the price to the district unless change orders are required, and that the firm’s internal markup on subcontracted work is “entirely their business.”

Trustee Whisler noted the May 2024 plan listed four high schools; Baines said Silver Springs High School had fencing work completed earlier and therefore was not part of this package. Several trustees requested clearer breakout sheets for future bids so the board can see per-school pricing and how totals are calculated.

Motion and vote: Trustee Kirsty Peterson moved to approve Simerson Construction LLC’s base bid of $1,986,300 and Loomis and Associates’ staking and materials testing proposal of $73,450, resulting in a combined total of $2,059,750. Trustee Rusty Bull seconded. The motion passed 7–0.

The district will return to the board with a project timeline, and staff said the approved contract allows work to begin once the pre-construction schedule is finalized and permits are obtained. Baines warned that change orders could raise the final cost if unforeseen conditions are discovered during construction.