School board looks to hire local construction manager

A local construction agency may head up the project of building the addition to Bordewich-Bray Elementary School with the $3.75 million bond money approved in this month's election.

"It's the taxpayers of Carson City that are funding it," said Mike Mitchell, Carson City School District director of operations. "If we can funnel the funds from it into the Carson City economy then I think we should."

Mitchell wants to use the same formula used to complete the 2000 bond projects: using a construction manager to coordinate the design and building, instead of hiring temporary employees to do the work.

"It doesn't save us money, but we get to rely on the expertise of people who do it every day," Mitchell said. "Everyone works more as a team. We saw how a construction manager and an architect can work together to save time and energy and help us come in on budget."

The 2000 bond involved $18 million worth of projects and needed a larger company, Q&D Construction of Reno, to oversee it. However, Mitchell said the elementary school addition will be smaller and within the means of a local company.

Mitchell will present the idea to school board members at their Tuesday meeting. If board members agree, Mitchell said he will begin advertising for the position near the end of the week.

He also plans to have the bond oversight committee, made up of a about 12 community members, formed by the end of the week.

The committee will help select the construction manager by mid-December. Mitchell said he hopes to have the designs completed by January or February, and the bids out in April and awarded by May.

Construction should begin when school is dismissed in June.

"This is a fun project," Mitchell said. "It's nice to think we'll get something new, instead of keeping old facilities functioning."

The addition will replace five portable classrooms that were razed after they were found to be full of toxic mold.

The 2000 bond projects replaced outdated systems and increased the safety at schools.

IF YOU GO

What: Carson City School Board meeting

When: 7 p.m. Tuesday

Where: Carson City Community Center, Sierra Room, 851 E. William St.