Frazier awards $17.9 million in contracts for new school
PERRYOPOLIS — Frazier School Board Thursday awarded $17.9 million in contracts at a special meeting to the lowest bidders for the construction of a new elementary/middle school building coming in under budget.
The board also approved bid alternates for another $729,080 that includes various soft costs.
Board President Tom Shetterly said all but three bid alternates will be used with the majority of the costs associated with roof upgrades, ceramic tile, locker tops and more classroom space.
Walter Mucci Construction Co. of Perryopolis was hired by the board as general contractor with a bid of $11,818,080.
The remaining contracts include $3,018,000 to A.J. Demor & Sons Inc. of Pittsburgh for heating, ventilation and air conditioning; $1,018,200 to Vrabel Plumbing Company Inc. of Pittsburgh for plumbing; $1,656,000 to A-1 Electric Ind. of Canonsburg for electrical; $69,900 to Canfield Development Inc. of Pittsburgh for asbestos abatement and $407,100 to Todd Devin Food Equipment Inc. of Philadelphia for food service.
David Disque, project manager at Massaro Construction Management of Pittsburgh, discussed the bids with the board earlier this week.
Disque said the school district is responsible for 19 percent of the contract price for associated costs coupled with another three percent for a contingency fund bringing the overall price tag to $21.4 million.
The board took out a $19 million bond issue in June for the project that was estimated by Massaro not to exceed $24.5 million.
While the district has $2,031,000 earmarked for the project in its capital reserve fund, part of the money will go toward replacing the roof at the senior high, estimated at $1 million.
The new building project involves demolishing Perry Elementary and closing Central Elementary School.
After the new 114,000-square-foot facility is constructed on the Perry Elementary site at the practice fields, the existing middle school that is attached to the high school will be abandoned.
Upon completion, the site will serve as a campus to all district facilities, with the exception of the stadium.
According to Massaro, the first phase of construction should be completed by June 2015 with the new building to open Sept. 1 the same year.
In another matter, the board hired BethAnn Chalfant Utz as nurse assistant, with an effective date to be determined. The position is for 184 days at a salary of $15.50 an hour, including benefits.
The board also heard from a concerned parent of a kindergarten student, regarding bus transfers to Central Elementary School.
Shetterly suggested the parent meet with elementary principal Kelly Muic and superintendent Dr. David Blozowich to further address the district’s transportation routes.