Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Bleachers To Be Rebid

Gurdon's School Board met Thursday, May 23, instead of Tuesday, May 21, as originally scheduled.

Only two members of the board were able to attend the May 21 meeting. Without a quorum, the meeting had to be rescheduled.

On Thursday, however, the board rejected all bids for bleachers in the new gymnasium. This was because the specifications used by the low bidder did not comply with the Southern Building Code.

Aisles between seats in the gym should be at least 48 inches apart, but were drawn in at 36 inches by the low bidder. In addition, the bid did not include hand rails for handicapped persons.

Because of this, the bid process was skewed and all were rejected. To be fair to all involved, the board will accept bids from all who originally submitted bids on the project.

The board is expected to come up with a recommendation on how many mill to seek in the September school election. These additional mills will be used to construct a new middle school near the new high school on highway 67.

Bobby Smithson, Gurdon superintendent, said the board is studying the option of two to four mill.

In other business, the district is examining its options on where to hold the in school suspension (ISS) classes. Throughout the school year, the old Arkla building was utilized.

However, the board will have to decide if it wants to continue paying rent to the gas company, or make use of the cafeteria at the former Gurdon Middle School.

Funding, he said, will be the main problem. Only $9,000 was allotted by the state for the ISS program, which enjoyed a good first year in the Gurdon district.

The district, according to Smithson, may seek legal recourse to recuperate money it will have to spend to get portions of the parking lot at GHS repaired.

"We say it's poor workmanship," he said, "and they (McKenzie Asphalt Co.) say it's a base problem."

Smithson said there is a one-year warranty on the work done, and estimates are being sought for repairs.

He said the company has changed its name, and is not answering calls from the district on the complaint.

Based on preliminary estimates for school funding for 1996-97, Smithson said it looks like the district will get about $300,000 more than this year -- if the funding formula holds up.

Should the formula stand up, he said the additional funds may be used for salaries, with some going toward the bleachers for the gym. Portions of the extra money may be used to add staff, as a science teachers is needed at GHS.

Principals, he said, are getting a priority list of staff needed together.