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Smith‑Green board approves second‑grade restroom renovation amid concerns over single bid
Summary
At its March 16 meeting the Smith‑Green Community Schools board approved a construction bid for second‑grade restroom renovations and several operational items — including bank access changes, a new sixth‑grade transition teacher position and the purchase of an 81‑passenger bus — after discussion about receiving only one contractor bid and the timeline to begin summer work.
Smith‑Green Community Schools board members on March 16 approved a construction bid to renovate second‑grade restrooms and signed off on a string of operational measures, despite concerns from members that only one contractor submitted a proposal.
The board voted to approve the Sher Construction bid for the second‑grade restroom project after staff said the procurement process met legal requirements and that pre‑bid site visits had been held. Board members pressed staff to pursue additional bids where feasible to ensure competitive pricing.
Board member raised the condition of the restrooms during discussion, saying, “They’re actually in worse shape than they were three years ago,” and noting issues such as rusting partitions, broken hinges and floor collapse. Facilities staff responded that the district had expected multiple bids after a pre‑bid meeting but ultimately received only one and that market conditions — projects being either too big for small contractors or too small for larger firms — likely limited responses.
Staff told the board the project is targeted for summer construction (June–early July) to avoid disrupting school days, and that delaying further could risk higher costs. The board directed staff to continue outreach for additional bids where possible but moved the project forward to keep it on the immediate construction schedule.
In related business, the board approved revisions to district bank signatory and access due to staff changes. The motion adds Mr. Gaff as business manager and authorizes him for Star Bank online access and signature authority on corporate and extracurricular checks, contracts and purchase orders to reflect the administrative transition.
The board also created a new sixth‑grade transition teacher position to be paid on the district teacher salary scale and approved the purchase of one replacement 81‑passenger bus as part of the district’s vehicle replacement plan; administrators emphasized ordering now locks in current pricing even though delivery is estimated to be about two years out.
Administrators presented several routine items during the meeting’s consent agenda, including proposed fundraisers for the archery club and FFA and personnel items noting resignations and retirements. The board received an administrative update on enrollment (848 in‑district students, 259 from outside the district) and heard a first reading of elementary handbook updates to conform with recent legislation and policy changes.
The board scheduled its next regular meeting for April 20 and adjourned at 7:37 p.m.
