Foundation being laid for bond work

As Mike Mitchell thanked community members Tuesday for their service on the 2000 bond advisory committee, he invited them to serve again on the 2002 committee.

Mitchell, director of operations for the Carson City School District, gave the 12 members a certificate of appreciation for their work over the last two years with the $18 million bond to upgrade outdated systems and increase security.

Mitchell is looking for a similar committee to oversee the construction of an addition to Bordewich-Bray Elementary School with $3.75 million in bond money approved by voters this month.

The addition will replace five modular buildings, which were destroyed after it was found to be infested with three types of toxic mold.

Mitchell said the new committee should be formed within the next two weeks and will be made up of returning and new members.

"We'll have a little of the old and a little of the new," he said. "I think the continuity would be nice. We're also looking for fresh views."

Mitchell said the 2000 committee was helpful in determining how to make up for problems when one project went over budget and how to explain such losses to the public.

"The advisory committee could review that from a layman's point of view," Mitchell said. "They would help me formulate my thoughts and how to get the information out to the public."

He said he also relied on committee members when determining how much of the process to discuss at school board meetings.

"It was all based on their input," he said. "It was really valuable."

The first order of business for this year's bond committee will be to select a manager to oversee all phases of design and construction.

The school board decided Tuesday to hire a local company to manage the project.

Mitchell said he is looking for 12 committee members, but will accommodate more if there is interest.

He cautioned that the committee will require a substantial time commitment.

"We'll have about 30 meetings," he said. "That's an imposition on their time, but we get the people who are willing to do it, and we appreciate them for it."

Mitchell will announce the members of the 2002 bond committee at the Dec. 10 school board meeting.