Lowell Area Schools board approves Cherry Creek construction bids; two security categories to be rebid

The Lowell Area Schools Board of Education voted Tuesday to approve construction bids for Cherry Creek Elementary School and authorized the project to move forward this calendar year.

The approval, made during the board’s regular meeting Sept. 8, passed on a 6-0 voice vote. Board member Jen (mover) brought the motion and Jared (support) seconded it.

Board discussion noted that the board reviewed the bid packages at its August workshop and that two categories — fire alarm and access-control/security systems — did not receive bids and were reissued for bid. Board member Pat said those two categories will reopen for bidding and be returned to the board at a later date. “Those 2 categories will be brought back to the board, at a later date. But this vote tonight will take the process going so that we can start construction at Cherry Creek later this calendar year,” Pat said.

The board did not adopt or finalize any contract for the reissued categories; staff stated those packages will be opened the following day and returned for board action when bids are received.

Votes at a glance: the motion to approve the Cherry Creek construction bids carried 6-0.

What happens next: with bids for the remaining categories reissued, district staff will open those bids, evaluate them and present recommended awards to the board for approval at a subsequent meeting. No firm construction start date was given in the meeting record.

The board did not attach budget or contractor names to the motion during the discussion; the record shows only approval to proceed with the reviewed bids and to reissue the two outstanding categories.