Board approves resolution to advance Miller Middle School construction; bid opening scheduled

The Marshalltown Community School District board voted 5-0 on Feb. 16 to adopt the resolution approving the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated costs for the remaining Miller Middle School bid packages, clearing the way for public bid openings.

Randy Denham, the district's business officer, told the board the bid opening was scheduled for the following Wednesday and that roughly 28 bid packages would be opened and reviewed by the district's construction advisers. "Bid opening is scheduled for this Wednesday at 1:00," Denham said, adding that the district and the architects (Envision and Boyd Jones) will review low bids and present award recommendations to the board at its March 2 meeting.

The action follows a public hearing earlier in the meeting in which no written or oral public comments were received on the remaining bid packages.

Franklin Field items: On related facilities business, the board also approved two change-order credits and accepted six certificates of substantial completion for Franklin Field bid packages; administration said the track and concession building remain to be finished in spring. All construction votes recorded in the meeting were unanimous (5-0).

What happens next: After bid opening and scope review by architects and the district, recommended contract awards will return to the board for final approval on March 2. Administration said the schedule is intended to allow orderly review of low bids, contract scopes and contingency planning before formal award.

The board did not adopt any final contract awards at the Feb. 16 meeting; action on contract awards will be a separate board vote after bid review.