Board Asks For Bids On Bus Barn

At its June 9 meeting, the McDonald County R-1 School District Board of Education voted to ask for bids on the proposed bus barn.

John Kelsh of Controlled Technology Solutions, the builder for the project, presented the board with a proposal that reduced the size of the site from 5 acres to 3.5 acres, thereby reducing site work and cost. The original pricing of the facility was placed at $2 million to $2.5 million. The changes lowered it to $1.8 million to $2 million, with Kelsh saying he felt the bids would come in on the lower end.

After some discussion on how to reduce the high end of the price, Kelsh agreed to draft a letter of intent for the bidding process stating that the bids cannot exceed $1,950,000.

The new bus barn will be located behind Pineville Primary School. The 9,425-square-foot facility will have a four-bay garage with a pit in one of the bays; a driver area with restrooms, shower and a conference room; and storage for parts and tires.

Also, the board approved putting in a cross-country track on some land the district owns that is now being leased by a farmer who has cows on it. A 12-foot-wide track will be bush hogged and kept mowed on the land to allow the cross country team to practice and hold meets. Plenty of notice will be given to the farmer to get his cows off the land.

In other business, the board approved a policy for organizations renting out the new performing arts center. The price will be $400 for ticketed events and $200 for free events.