Final Construction Plans Near
GCISD’s board of trustees (Tibby Niehues absent) met Nov. 13 with representatives from DSA, the company that will oversee the school’s construction projects, and approved their plans.
The much-discussed vocational /ag building is to be 80 ft. x 110 ft. with 14 to 20 ft. walls and a 20 x 14 ft. overhead door which will allow trucks to pull in and be unloaded by an overhead hoist. The building is to be located where the vocational shop is now, and will include a classroom, office, two bathrooms, two clothes-changing rooms, a woodworking area, a 22 x 12 ft. paint room, ventilated paint storage, and a 56 x 110 ft. open area, which includes welding stations.
Board President Karla Hoelscher again expressed concern about the size and scope of the building. She said shop classes are no longer weighted, and enrollment in them may decline. She recalled how the school built a first-class home economics area several years ago, and now that program doesn’t even exist.
The construction representatives had planned to include air conditioning the gymnasium in the construction project, but were told that the board has not approved that. Nevertheless, they will work up cost estimates for board consideration.
School Superintendent Steve Long reported that the school recently received a check for $17,000 as part of a fitness grant, which was to pay for exercise equipment at the school. He said he has gotten a letter saying that the school will be paid a total of $173,000. School secretary Kathy Wheat said that amount, along with four payments much earlier, should pay for the equipment.
The board approved purchase of an 18-passenger travel bus for $45,000. It will be a gasoline-powered Chevrolet with travel seats and belts like the Bearkat bus. It will have an equipment cage in the back, will be white with colored trim, and doesn’t require a commercial licensed person to drive. If the bus works out well, the board may buy a second one in the future.
Trustees also approved purchase of a 2007 Ford F-250 gasoline-powered, 4/2 Crew Cab pickup from White Motor for $24,900. It will be in the school’s pool, and can be checked out to use like other vehicles.
The board was in closed session for 25 minutes to discuss “security devices.” No action was taken.