Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Board Discusses GPS Renovation

REBECCA S. COOPER

Renovations for the Gurdon Primary School were discussed in a special meeting of the Gurdon School Board Monday, March 29.

The board went over drafts of the proposed renovations at this time.

Immediately upon opening the meeting the board went into executive session. They discussed a personnel matter on which no action was taken at this time.

After executive session, the board passed a resolution allowing the district to receive a short term loan. The district has money tied up in CDs with a penalty for early withdrawal that would have cost $8,000.The loan will tide the district over until the CDs can be cashed on May 2.

The board then moved on to the blueprint drafts of the GPS as it is now. Wayne J. Trull, of Trull-Hollensworth, Architects, presented the close-up overlays showing the lines of the new roof, classrooms, bathrooms, exits and administrative spaces created with the plans prepared.

Renovation details consist of totally new interiors for all the classrooms, new larger bathrooms, new lounge for the teachers, new exit from the cafeteria, new uses for the spaces in the entrance of the school and possibly new doorways for the library. The new pitched roof will cover the kindergarten, and will be the main cost of the renovation.

Trull said, "Two problems with the roof are the removal of the gas pipes, water pipes, electrical lines and compressors, and differing elevations of the walls. There's up to six inches differences in the walls in the wings." Trull mentioned the energy savings the access space of the pitched roof will provide.

Trull gave the board a turn key cost estimate of $1,055,000. The budgeted amount is $800,000 for the project. Bobby Smithson, superintendent, said by using a construction manager the district could save from $100,000 to $200,000 off the turn key.

Smithson asked for permission to contact Larry Hill, of Hill and Cox in Hot Springs, about taking the job.

"Larry Hill is a good person, with good subcontractors. He's capable and I trust him," Smithson said. Hill was the construction manager for the construction of the Cabe Middle School. The board agreed with the plan.

Construction could possibly start as soon as the end of April. Parts of the project may be opened for biding such as the foundation. Trull hypothesized some interior work would be all that would be lacking by time school started in the fall.

No action was taken on contracts for the district's three principals at this meeting. However, this matter will be discussed at the regular April board meeting, scheduled for April 18.