Cape school board approves bids for Franklin Elementary construction

In a matter of a few weeks, the planned $10 million Franklin Elementary School will begin moving from concept to reality.

The Cape Girardeau School Board on Tuesday night approved eight bid packages for the two-story building, to be constructed behind the existing school.

Brockmiller Construction of Farmington, Mo., will serve as general contractor on the project, with a winning bid of $3.32 million, the biggest piece of the $10 million price tag. Total Electric Co. Inc., also of Farmington, won the electrical bid, at $861,722, and Miller Drywall Co. will handle the exterior finish and drywall, at $783,671, among other contracts.

Neil Glass, the district's director of administrative services, said the bids came in "pretty much on target."

"We didn't really recognize any savings, however, we're getting an outstanding building, and we're very pleased with what have as a final product on paper."

The new Franklin is scheduled to be ready by the opening of the 2012-2013 school year, and the 80-year-old existing school building will be demolished.

The board approved bid packages for access control and security systems at the district's elementary schools. Kiefner Bros. Construction Co. of Cape Girardeau will take care of the security, door and hardware installation, with a winning bid of $85,800. Total Electric Co. Inc. will install fire alarm systems, at a cost of $355,000, and Johnson Controls won the heating ventilation and air-conditioning controls bid, at $1,051,072, including an alternate bid of 201,443 for high school HVAC controls.

The board approved a bid package of $1.22 million for seating at Cape Girardeau Central High School Event Stadium. Hanson Sports Inc. of Crestwood, Ky., was the winning bidder for the 5,000-seat stadium set to open before the start of the upcoming football season. Glass said bids still are out on artificial turf and track resurfacing.

Foundation work has begun. "They're moving dirt, they're pouring footings," Glass said.

In other business, the Cape Girardeau School Board will be led by new executives for the next year. Board member Stacy Kinder, uncontested in the most recent school board election, was elected by her peers to serve as the board's president. She defeated Paul Nenninger, most recent president of the board, on a 4-3 vote. She thanked Nenninger for his service, and said she was looking forward to the new board year.

Tony Smee was elected vice president, defeating Don Call by a 6-1 vote. Nenninger was appointed the board's delegate to the Missouri School Board Administration.

mkittle@semissourian.com

388-3627

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark Ave., Cape Girardeau MO