This summer, as part of the secondary school renovation project, the science labs and cafeteria/student center will be updated. Contractors and bids for these projects received stamps of approval from the board of education at its March meeting.
R.C. Hendrick & Son, Inc. accepted bids on behalf of the Laker district in early March. Based on the results of those bids, the contracting company conducted post-bid interviews with at least the lowest bidder. There were 13 bid categories. The following businesses were selected: Rooney Contracting, Booms Construction, Inc., McMath Masonry, Howard Structural Steel, Brandle Roofing, Dave’s Glass, O’Connors Carpet One, Detail Painting, Farnell Contracting, Thumb Cooling and Heating and Maurer Electric, Inc.
The bids totaled $1.37 million, which will be paid for with the sinking fund millage. The work completed this summer also will include HVAC updates.
In other business during the recent meeting, the board accepted the retirements of elementary paraprofessionals Beth Tibbits and Pam Stafford. Tibbits has been with the district since July 1999 and Stafford has been with Lakers since October 1994. Both took the $2,500 retirement incentive offered to paraprofessionals. The same incentive was offered to paraprofessionals last fiscal year. Three paraprofessionals took the incentive last year.
The board also accepted the resignation of Ryan Rowley, IT technician, who had been with the district for a few years. Candidates are being interviewed for this position.
Also during the meeting, newly-chosen Laker Friend of Youth Agnes Kosinski thanked the board for being selected. Each Thumb-area school selects a Friend of Youth. They will be honored at a track meet this spring.