School board to pick firms for improvements

Published 4:49 pm Saturday, January 12, 2013

It’s time for a few basic upgrades at local schools.

The Austin Public Schools board will choose a bidder Monday evening for three sets of construction projects to improve Ellis Middle School, Woodson Kindergarten Center and the district’s interest in Todd Park’s baseball/softball fields.

Improvements on Woodson would include replacing the asphalt parking lot on the north side of the school and in the “Critter Line” area to the south of the main parking lot, widening the delivery entrance concrete, replacing the asphalt playground path and adding drain tiles to the playground. The lowest bid received was from Ulland Brothers Inc. for about $50,000.

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At Ellis, improvements include replacing the asphalt on the west side of the building, reconfiguring the cul de sac at the southwest corner, replacing asphalt on the vacated Sixth Avenue and restoring and cleaning the steam banks along the south side, replacing the asphalt and retaining wall at the delivery area, and replacing the asphalt in the staff parking lot. The lowest bid was from again from Ulland Brothers Inc., for about $316,000.

Work at Todd Park will accommodate the district’s need for additional baseball/softball fields in place of the ones demolished to make way for the incoming I.J. Holton Intermediate School. Improvements include construction of a new softball field, renovations to field No. 7 for baseball, construction of new batting cages, expansion of the parking lot near field No. 10 and putting in a new walking path from that parking area to the new softball field. Ulland Brothers also had the lowest bid on this project, for about $86,000.

 

Other business

During the meeting, board members will also:

—Decide whether to approve the course registration guide for the 2013-2014 school year, which Austin High School Assistant Principal Stacy Shultz will review for the board.

—Choose whether to accept gifts of $500 from the Northwestern Singers for Southgate’s music department and $440 for Woodson’s snack fees from the Austin Area Realtors Association.

—Hear an update on construction progress at the new intermediate school.

—Decide whether to approve updated policies on naming school facilities and the rules of extracurricular transportation.

—Be appointed to committees such as the Finance Committee or the Personnel committee.