Board approves bids for Allens, Gilham and Richmond elementary projects after construction update

The Overton County School Board authorized staff to advertise and solicit bids for building program projects at Allens Elementary, Gilham Elementary and Richmond Elementary following a construction update from the district’s project manager.

Presenter Mr. Templeton reported that soil conditions discovered at the Rickman site will require a grouting approach (described at the meeting as a method to reach more competent soils and fill with grout). He advised the board that this approach increases cost but has precedent in similar nearby projects. Templeton said the district completed a traffic study for Allens Elementary and is incorporating recommendations to address congestion near the highway.

The district outlined a staggered bid schedule to avoid overloading contractors: a pre-bid walk-through for all three schools on Aug. 14 was announced, followed by staggered bid openings (presenter indicated starting with Gilham on the 26th and finishing Allens later in the same cycle). He recommended contract durations of roughly 450 days from notice to proceed for the Rickman project and about 400 days for the other two projects, and said the district would submit plans to the fire marshal for review.

Board members voted to proceed with advertising the projects and to move forward with fire-marshal plan review; the motion passed by roll-call vote.

The presenter noted some additional costs associated with the soil remediation but said recent bids on other projects had shown competitive pricing and material-price stabilization.