Sikeston R-6 bond project’s schematic designs updated

SIKESTON — The Sikeston R-6 School district received updated schematic designs of Lee Hunter Elementary and the high school’s C Building as well as a general project update during its regular monthly meeting Tuesday in the high school cafeteria.

Representatives with the district’s construction manager as agent, Navigate Building Solutions, attended Tuesday’s meeting to provide the Board with the monthly bond project update, which included updated schematic designs of both Lee Hunter and C Building.

A representative with Navigate Building Solutions said abatement bids have been awarded and started for Lee Hunter with abatement anticipated to be completed by Oct. 9. Once abatement is completed, the building is ready for demolition, and that work is planned to be bid in October with the work happening during the winter.

The representative said the schematic design for Lee Hunter was reviewed Aug. 27 with design development plans presented in October and construction documents in January. Construction is planned to take 14 months with substantial completion in spring 2022 and ribbon cutting in August 2022.

For C Building, the schematic drawings were reviewed Aug. 27, and design development plans will be ready in November and construction documents in March. The project will be bid to contractors in spring 2021 and also has a 14-month construction timeline with substantial completion in spring 2022 and ribbon cutting in August 2022.

As of Sept. 8, total project cost for the construction of both buildings and the razing of the existing Lee Hunter, C Building and Matthews Elementary is at $22, 083,718, which is slightly higher than the $21.6 million project estimate. However, Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Dr. Tony Robinson said.

“We’re working on that budget and will still do some more cost-cutting and discussing of what type of construction Lee Hunter may be compared to Wing Elementary,” he said.

Piper Sandler Co., the district’s bond finance team, presented and shared information and offered an opportunity for the board to ask questions later.

Robinson also provided his superintendent’s report.

“We are excited to be starting our third week of school and teachers and administrators are working hard, and I believe they are doing an incredible job. We’re happy to see the students,” Robinson said.

Robinson noted the average daily attendance, or ADA, was at 90.3% but expects that to improve.

The superintendent also discussed early release Wednesdays and thanked the board for approving the 2020-2021 calendar.

“The staff is making use of that for collaboration and data analysis, professional development and it’s going well,” Robinson said.

In action by the Board, members approved the guaranteed energy savings agreement with McKinstry as well as the resolution authorizing the offering sale of general obligation bonds in the amount of $6 million.

The Board also approved the establishment of the 2020-2021 tuition rate of $8,250, which is an increase of $800 from the previous rate.

The Board approved the COVID-19 response care coordinator position to be posted by school district.

“The purpose of this position was to have a person solely responsible for the school community working with the health departments as well as contacting parents, staff and community members who may have been exposed or tested positive for COVID-19 and keeping track of that information,” Robinson said.

The Board approved the position for posting, but did not want to hire anyone until they have a further discussion on the issue.

Also on Tuesday, the DESE Model Compliance Plan for Implementation of IDEA, Part B, which is an annual requirement, was approved by the Board.

In other informational items, Kindergarten Center Principals Jenny Hobeck and Sarah Carbaugh provided the school’s achievement update, and Lorrie McClenton, director of building and grounds, briefed the board with the summer maintenance report.

As of Sept. 1, district enrollment was at 3,446.