The Cuba R-2 School District voted May 26 to approve multiple bids that will facilitate new capital projects using the funds gained from the passage of the April 7 bond.

Matt Nigh, senior project manager with Navigate Building Solutions was hired to act as a government representative for contracting and completing bond projects. Nigh guided the board through each potential project, and gave suggestions for which company they believe the district should hire to complete the work. 

Nigh began by discussing potential architect companies that submitted bids to act as the district’s design firm for the approved projects. He assisted in narrowing them down to the top-three potential firms. Incite Design Services, Bond Architects Inc. and Archer-Elgin were the best potential options. Nigh suggested that the board hire Bond Architects Inc. 

Board member Adam Carnal asked why that company was the best.

“What stood out from Bond Architects?” Carnal asked.

Nigh said their project outline was detailed.

“They (Bond Architects) came the most prepared and they spoke specifically about mechanical electrical which is what is needed the most,” Nigh said.

Superintendent Dr. Scott Davidson said that they paid attention to detail and needs of the district.

“What stood out with Bond is that they went through our projects already and were the most professional and engaged company,” Davidson said.

Board member Renee White said one company didn’t have the full scope of the project.

“Incite Design Services didn’t research our specific needs,” White said.

White then motioned to approve Bond Architects, Incorporated as the design firm for capital projects, which was seconded by Rodger Bridgeman Jr. and approved by the rest of the board in a 6-0 vote. Board Treasurer Chris Bell was absent from the meeting. 

Nigh then presented a second package, which would provide the district with an environmental consulting company that would facilitate a survey that would provide the preliminary information needed for a potential demolition of both the original administration building and the maintenance building on campus. The demolition would require the abatement of hazardous materials such as asbestos.

“We really need to bring in a professional to finalize and capture all of the necessary information so that we can put that into a package that a director can form,” Nigh said. 

“So this represents just that initial survey. They would come out, do whatever testing they would do, just to verify, confirm, you know, what materials are in those spaces. That includes two underground storage tanks. So they would identify all that and then what the proper disposal would be. And once we have that information, then we can put that out to an abatement bin package to get the abatement part finished before we go to it. And then the next step would be to do a demo package to demo the building once they’re fully renovated. So this is the first step to get things done just to get the survey done.”

The board voted 6-0 to approve Wellington Environmental for the asbestos stimulation survey, as presented.

Nigh followed by presenting the board with a pair of companies bidding to provide new lighting at the football, softball and baseball fields for the upcoming fall. He added that the lights for the football and softball fields would be finished first, to accommodate the fall sports. 

Reinhold Electric Inc. and Techline Sports Lighting each gave proposals and budget estimates for the project, with guarantees of an Aug. 1 completion date. 

Each company met with Navigate Building Solutions utility workers and the city of Cuba when assessing the job and projecting an estimate. The budget set by the board and Navigate Building Solutions was $928,312 and Reinhold projected it would cost $924,680 and Techline projected $686,645 which is $238,035 difference in the projected costs from the two companies. 

The Techline projection also included a 10 year warranty and a $34,000 fee for the removal of the light poles. 

After some discussion, the board agreed that the 10 year warranty was a plus and came to the conclusion that the $34,000 removal fee was unnecessary. Davidson also added that the difference between their budget and what they will actually spend on the project will be able to help fund other future endeavors.

The board voted 6-0 to approve Techline Sports Lighting for the bid while removing the $34,000 pole removal fee from the contract.    

Nigh continued by presenting a fencing bid from All-Type Fence Inc., that would extend the fencing at the elementary school playground to encompass a larger area. Another bid was reviewed from Landesign that would replace the current surface in the playground, currently mulch, with turf, and install a swing set.  

The board voted 6-0 to approve the proposal from All-Type Fence for the extended prints of the elementary school playground as presented. The board also approved the cooperative purchase agreement with Landesign, with the alternative for a term system, full replacement of the elementary school playground surface and installation of a swing set as presented with a 6-0 vote.