Cape school board selects architect for bond projects

Phillip B. Smith Architect LLC of Cape Girardeau was approved by the Cape Girardeau School Board on Monday to provide architectural services for renovation and construction projects at the school district.

A $20 million bond issue, approved by voters in April, is being used to fund the projects throughout the district, including renovations and construction at the Central Junior High School and the expansion of the Cape Girardeau Career and Technology Center.

Smith will provide design services for various elements of the projects, including safety, design, cost effectiveness and project documents, officials said.

The projects are the second phase of a facility plan developed in 2008 and 2009. The first phase was addressed with a $40 million bond issue in 2010.

Superintendent Jim Welker said Smith served as the architect for the 2010 bond projects.

"We really appreciated his professionalism and working conditions with him and want to continue that working relationship," Welker said.

The board also approved a bid from Kirberg Company, headquartered in St. Louis, to put a new roof on Central Middle School.

Kirberg gave the lowest base bid of four companies at $499,800, officials said.

Neil Glass, assistant superintendent of administrative services, said several projects were completed over the summer and more are underway, including the construction of a driveway at Clippard Elementary and a ramp that meets Americans with Disabilities Act requirements at Blanchard Elementary.

Officials also announced the school board was among 23 in Missouri to receive the Missouri School Boards' Association's 2015 Governance Team Award.

The award is based on outstanding commitment to ongoing professional development in areas such as student achievement, school law and finance, board operations and contemporary issues in education, officials said.

It also recognizes commitment to regional and statewide leadership and to active participation in legislative advocacy for public schools and students.

Welker said it's the third year the school board has received the award.

"We really appreciate the service that our school board provides," he said.

klamb@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3639

Pertinent address:

301 N. Clark St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.