DARLINGTON – The Darlington School Board of Education approved the bid from Portzen Construction of $522,096 for the DHS Science Remodel.
At their regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, Jan. 15, the board looked at two bids, one from Portzen Construction, which did part of the construction on the project last year in the library and Tech Ed, and the other from McKee Construction of Madison. McKee Construction’s bid was $580,592. The board had approved at a previous meeting to not go over the amount $600,000.
Board member RJ Brunkow asked about a policy the board has regarding running the Fund Balance below 26 percent. The districts policy says that they need to maintain 26 percent or higher in the Fund Balance of they would take proactive actions to raise it. Both the science project and the bleachers would lower it down to 22 percent. Board president, Aaron Wolfe, said the board would need to waive that policy at a later meeting.
Joe Riechers made a motion to approve the bid from Portzen Construction and was seconded by Brunkow. The motion passed unanimously.
Energy Efficiency Bid
The board discussed bids for the Energy Efficiency project. This is part of the $4,000,000 project, mostly which was done over the previous summer. They have $1,507,108 left to do the remaining project that has to be spent by October 2018. The mechanical upgrades are estimated at $982,645; lighting, $147,923; control, $130,000; ceiling replacement, $109,600: and electrical is just time and materials. Everything is currently out to bid.
Zywicki Retirement
The board also approved the request from Scott Zywicki to retire at the end of the 2017-2018 school year after 37 years of service to the district. His request also includes the retirement from his duties as Head Football Coach, which he has held 13 years, along with being an Assistant Football Coach for 23 years.
Other Business
The Darlington School Board of Education also approved/accepted:
-a $25 donation from the Class of 1951 in memory of Betsy Zenz Hayes to the DHS Music Student Activity Account.
-scheduling a time for hearing petitions to alter school district boundaries for Feb. 19 at 6:00 p.m.