Three motions concerning the new Ben Franklin Elementary School Project failed to pass last night during a special meeting of the Indiana School Board
The board rejected a vote to authorize setting a student occupancy capacity limit of 897 for students at Ben Franklin Elementary by a 6-3 margin. The reason for setting a limit on student capacity was due to concerns showed by PennDOT for a traffic study. Many felt that setting a pre-determined number was not beneficial towards the project. A motion to solicit bids for an advance bid package concerning underground utilities was also rejected by the board by an 8-1 vote. Board Member Bill Smith said that work on the project should not be split up. Instead, all the work must be bid together.
A motion to authorize the district’s administration to solicit proposals for a construction trailer instead of including a trailer in the bid specifications failed by a 7-2 vote. The only item concerning the Ben Franklin Elementary School that passed was the submission of the Plancon Part F application, even though many in the audience felt the application had several glaring errors. Board President Doug Steve said that he trusts McKissick Associates, who filled out the application on the district’s behalf.
The board also approved awarding a bid for paving the senior high to K. Dolan Corporation in Blairsville, and they also approved three bids for upgrades to the digital media production program at the Senior High. The next school board meeting will be Monday, June 12th at 7:30.
