Scott City School Board postpones construction of safe room

The Scott City School Board on Wednesday postponed moving ahead on construction of a performing arts theater/safe room until it can find out whether more money is available from the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

Zoellner Construction of Perryville, Mo., was the low bidder on the project at $2,069,000 of a field of eight bidders at the board's Sept. 18 meeting.

But the bid was higher than expected.

The theater and safe room were set to be financed by 75 percent federal funds, or $1.125 million; and 25 percent, or $375,000, in matching funds from the school district.

Superintendent Diann Ulmer said the district wants to see whether it can get more money for FEMA-eligible reimbursable items -- walls, floors, generators, the foundation and some electrical work and plumbing.

To help pay for a sound system, curtains and lighting, Ulmer has said over the last three years the district set aside about $550,000 for additional items for the safe room.

If the lighting package were removed and 12-foot concrete panels were used instead of 8-foot panels, the district could save more money on the project, she said.

Ulmer said it could take three weeks to three months to learn about additional FEMA financing.

In other matters, Ulmer said a representative of L.J. Hart and Co. of St. Louis will be at the board's Nov. 20 meeting to talk about restructuring the district's debt service payments.

Since a $3.5 million school building improvement bond issue passed in 2001, interest rates have gone down, saving the district thousands of dollars.

L.J. Hart has several options for board members to consider on issuing more bonds for more improvements, Ulmer said.

On another financial item, the district accepted its audit from Stanley, Dirnberger, Hopper & Associates of Cape Girardeau. The audit had no substantial findings.

rcampbell@semissourian.com

388-3639

Pertinent address: 3000 Main St., Scott City