School board approves Hickory Hills construction bid
June 24, 2008
The Springfield School Board approved the base construction bid for the new environmentally-designed Hickory Hills K-8 school Tuesday night. Construction should start this summer and is scheduled to be complete by the end of 2009.
The base bid of $17,326,241 includes a number of deductions from the original bid of $17.8 million. District officials are still considering whether to use asphalt or concrete for the drives and parking spaces. The school will be located near the intersection of Division Street and Greene County Farm Road 193 and will be the first school in southwest Missouri to meet environmentally sustainable LEED-certified criteria.
Also at Tuesday’s board meeting:
* The board received information on SPS Choice and a procedure for implementing future choice programs. About 11 percent of district students are currently enrolled in a choice program. The district has a goal that 25 percent of students be enrolled in a choice program by 2019. Marc Maness, director of community relations and strategic planning, is the initial contact for those interested in developing a choice program. Several board members agreed the board should approve all new choice programs.
* The board extended the district’s food service contact with ARAMARK through the 2008-09 school year. ARAMARK has served the district since 1991.
* The board received a proposed action plan for maintaining extracurricular work assignments and providing appropriate stipends for those jobs. Final recommendations are to be submitted to the superintendent’s cabinet by Dec. 19, 2008.
* During public comment, Ray Smith, president of the Springfield National Education Association, addressed the school board about collective bargaining. Later in the meeting, board president Kris Callen, said meetings are continuing between the district, SNEA and the Missouri State Teachers Association. A proposed action plan will be presented to the school board in July.