ST. PARIS – The Graham Local Schools transportation building renovation can move forward now that the school board has approved bids for the work.
The board approved a $92,000 bid for general trades work from GJO Distributors & Contractors, a $34,000 bid for plumbing and mechanical work from Slagle Mechanical, a $49,873.99 bid from Watkins Electric for electrical work, and a $25,275 bid from Yoder Concrete for concrete work, at its Monday meeting.
All the bids were low bids, District Operations and Services Supervisor Don Burley said. Twelve contractors bid on multiple parts of the project.
The district is renovating the former Faulkner Lumberyard buildings at 9915 W. U.S. Route 36, across from Graham Middle School. The school board purchased the property and sold the former junior high school building at 370 E. Main St. to the village of St. Paris. The district’s transportation offices and bus garage are still at the former junior high school building until the new facility is completed.
The total project, including the property purchase, was estimated to cost $600,000. The property was purchased for $336,000. The bid amounts leave approximately $60,000 left over for any problems or contingencies that may crop up in the renovation.
Burley said previously he hopes to move into the new building July 1.
In other action, the board:
•Accepted donations of $101.17 to Graham High School from Target’s “Take Charge of Education” program; $28.45 to Graham Middle School from Target’s “Take Charge of Education” program; $500 from Pioneer Rural Electric to Graham Athletic Department; $400 from Graham Youth Basketball Association to Graham Athletic Department for boys basketball; $260 from Graham Youth Basketball Association to Graham Athletic Department for girls basketball.
•Accepted the resignations of aide Marilyn Weatherhead, effective Feb. 25, 2016; teacher Jacqueline Thompson, due to retirement, effective May 31, 2016; teacher Sheryl Lewis, effective Aug. 1, 2016.
•Approved hiring Girls Varsity Track Head Coach John Tullis, Boys Varsity Track Head Coach Rob Dickerson, Girls Varsity Track Assistant Coach Megan Kelly, Jr. Varsity Softball Assistant Coach Stephen Graves, and Winter (HS) Athletic Event Manager John Tullis, for the 2015-16 school year.
•Approved a three-year medical leave of absence for Charlene Pullins, beginning April 29, 2016.
•Approved hiring Varsity Wrestling Assistant Coaches Jesse Leng and Travis McIntosh, Middle School Track Head Assistant Coach Kevin Fritts, Middle School Track Assistant Coach Anthony Bailey.
•Approved the Ohio HOSA State Leadership Conference trip to the University of Toledo Biomedical Sciences, Toledo, April 5-6, 2016.
