COLUMBUS State Controlling Board to allow more funds for Bristol High project

Newton Falls schools and Youngstown State University also will get some extra funds.
By MICHELE C. HLADIK
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
COLUMBUS -- Renovations to Bristol High School in Trumbull County are costing more than anticipated, and members of the State Controlling Board agreed to give the district more money to cover the expenses.
The Ohio School Facility Commission said it requested an additional $289,192 because funds previously committed for the project are insufficient to renovate the school to meet design and building code standards. Bristol's original budget was nearly $8 million.
The additional funds were part of the $4.9 million additional funds requested for building or renovation projects in Ohio schools.
Amended contract: The commission also requested amended contract amounts for Heery International Inc. of Cleveland, which is acting as construction managers for the Bristol Local School District projects.
Besides the $289,192 earmarked for the project, $242,880 should be paid to the company because the project was extended by 10 months because of "unforeseen conditions."
Another amendment of $92,029 is needed because the budget was not enough to cover the cost of renovating the high school to "adequate" design and building standards. It will also be paid to Heery.
Both requests were approved by controlling board members Monday.
State Controlling Board members agreed to waive competitive selection for the Newton Falls Exempted Village School District project and award a construction manager's contract to URS Corp.
As construction manager, the company will plan, coordinate and manage all phases of the project. The total cost of this award is not to exceed $1,341,136, according to the request filed by the OSFC.
Building project: Newton Falls wants to build a new middle school, reconstruct the present middle school into a K-2 elementary school and renovate the junior/senior high complex.
District voters passed a bond issue in May that will generate the $4 million local share of the project.
The board also approved the release of funds for two Youngstown State University projects.
Almost $75,000 was unanimously approved for the university's Electronic Campus Infrastructure/Technology project. It also waived competitive selection and awarded a $52,561 portion of the funds for a multimedia package from Media Integration of Brunswick.
Beeghly Center: The board also approved the release of $150,000 for construction costs and a contingency fund for the Beeghly Center Sound System Rehabilitation project.
The current system was installed in the gymnasium of the Beeghly Health and Physical Education Center in 1972.
According to the request filed with the board, the sound system is deteriorated and "no longer serviceable for the numerous academic, community, commencement and sporting events" held in the center.