Apr 4, 2014 By Toni Cekada for The 3 min read

CARMICHAELS — The multimillion-dollar renovation project for the junior-senior high school in the Carmichaels Area School District is one step closer to a reality after directors awarded contracts on Tuesday.

The bids for general construction, electrical, plumbing, roofing and heating and cooling, totaled $13,943,200.

For general construction, the contract was awarded to Nello Construction of Pittsburgh for $6,950,000. The contract includes a $20,000 credit for hauling and disposing the coal that needs to be removed from the district’s property. This will be conditional upon the contractor providing all necessary permits.

General construction work also includes replacing lockers (which are original) in the senior high school, refinishing the high school gymnasium floor and painting the senior high school gym roof deck.

For plumbing, the contract was awarded to Wheels Mechanical of Pittsburgh in the amount of $1,287,000.

For heating and cooling,the contract was awarded to R&B Mechanical of Pleasant Hills for $2,837,800.

For electrical construction, the contract was awarded to Pitt Electric of Pittsburgh in the amount of $2,469,400.

And for roofing, the contract was awarded to Altoona Roofing in Blair County for $399,000. Last week, Allen said this bid was $50,000 less than the next lowest bidder, and included a better quality roof. Altoona Roofing would provide a rubber roof, as opposed to an asphalt roof.

In reviewing the bids at last week’s meeting, architect Kevin Hayes of the Hayes Design Group said the district received “incredibly good” bids due to contractors being “hungry for work.”

Allen said construction is expected to begin on April 14; however, Nello is “ready mobilize.” The company may have a job trailer set up by the beginning of next week, and begin work a few days early, Alled said.

Phase 1 work will include constructing a new joint junior and senior high school cafeteria under the overpass. Allen said the overpass will remain to be used to get to and from each building. The work is not expected to impact the use of the buildings for classes through the end of the school year.

At the end of the school year, work will begin on the junior high. Next school year, while the junior high is being renovated, mobile classrooms will be used for classes that can’t be accommodated in the high school. After the junior high is finished, work will begin on the high school.

In other matters, the board approved a contract with an independent engineering firm, Skelly and Loy, to conduct air monitoring in the school during construction to ensure the safety of workers, students and staff.

Also at the meeting, the board approved the retirements of Susan Martin, elementary physical education teacher; Rachel Lesako, elementary speech therapist; and Barbara Hathaway, elementary teacher.

Also, Superintendent Craig Baily announced that the 1965 time capsule will be opened, and a ceremony will be held. Baily was in 10th grade when the capsule was buried in a corner under the overpass, and says he does not know what’s inside. A date soon will be announced for the ceremony.

April’s regular meeting was rescheduled for 7 p.m. April 24 in the high school resource room.