Board hears timeline for Baker abatement and demolition; district outlines vehicle purchases and safety work

At the Fairborn City Schools board meeting the district’s director of business operations, Rodney Roberts, presented a facilities update that outlined next steps for the Baker abatement and demolition project and several related procurement items.

Roberts said the administration expects to release bid documents for the Baker project on Jan. 3, hold a pre-bid meeting on Jan. 17 and open bids on Jan. 27; after bids are opened the administration will bring a contract to the board for approval. He explained a contract change reflected on the meeting agenda: Peterson Construction will serve as the general contractor for the overall project and the district plans to competitively bid abatement and demolition work rather than have Peterson sub out the work, which Roberts said should reduce markup costs.

Roberts also discussed vehicle and safety purchases. He told the board a district truck with frame rust damage will be replaced; the meeting transcript records a stated replacement price of $4,047,000, which appears inconsistent with typical vehicle pricing and is reported here as the amount given verbally at the meeting. The administration is also exploring purchase of a smaller student transit van for midday routes and athletics to reduce pressure on buses and athletic transportation, and reported planned high-school safety work including revised door lock hardware and exhaust work in a chemical storage room.

Roberts said the administration hopes to bid demolition work during winter months to encourage lower bids from contractors and noted the SHP contract on the agenda reflects the change in contracting approach. The board asked no substantive follow-up questions during the public facilities update.

The district indicated contracting and procurement items will return to the board for formal approval after bids are opened.