District prepares to build Bunn

The district has finished or started work on 11 of 14
buildings in the program.

By HAROLD GWIN

VINDICATOR EDUCATION WRITER

YOUNGSTOWN — The city school board is anxious to get the new Paul C. Bunn Elementary School built.

The board awarded an “early site/foundation” construction package this week to Kreidler Construction Co. of Poland, less than a week after holding groundbreaking ceremonies.

Kreidler was the lowest of six bidders on the project which will prepare the Boardman Township school site for actual construction of the $9.5 million building. The plan is to have the new school built and open for pupils in the fall of 2008.

Bunn is the 11th of 14 schools being replaced or remodeled under the district’s $192 million rebuilding program.

Securing a zoning permit

Tony DeNiro, assistant superintendent for school business affairs, said the district is securing a zoning permit to start the construction but must meet Boardman Township requirements for a buffer zone of greenery along the residential property line at the rear of the building site.

The project architect has prepared a plan showing evergreen-type plantings along that school property line to satisfy the township’s requirements, he said.

Once the zoning permit is in place, the district expects the township to issue a building permit for the project, DeNiro said.

While Bunn is just getting started, the new East High School project is essentially completed.

The $30 million building is done, but some exterior site work remains to be completed and the board awarded a $337,200 contract to Rudzik Excavating Inc. of Struthers to do that job. Rudzik was the only bidder.

Equal opportunity employment

Al Curry, district equal employment opportunity compliance officer for the rebuilding program, told the board that he has provided Rudzik with a list of at least eight city minorities and women interested in working on the East project.

Contractors hired on the building projects are required to make “a good faith effort” to hire city minorities and women as part of their crews, he said. Curry said he has had concerns about some contractors showing that effort in past projects in the rebuilding program.

There isn’t any penalty for noncompliance, but it could be considered by the school board if a noncompliant company bids for other school jobs, he said.

The school board also authorized the seeking of bids for the demolition of Volney Rogers Junior High School, which is to be razed this summer and replaced with a new building on its South Schenley Avenue site. That job has a cost estimate of $900,000.

New Rayen and Wilson middle schools are also on the project list but haven’t been started.

The Ohio School Facilities Commission is picking up 80 percent of the tab on the rebuilding program.

gwin@vindy.com