By Trent Moore

Staff Writer

Change orders were approved at Thursday night’s Cullman County Board of Education meeting that will add approximately $114,000 to the cost for the ongoing Holly Pond Middle School construction project.

The new 67 x 150 feet structure — designed by Leonard Design Architects — is set to include seven new 32 x 26 feet classrooms, as well as new office areas, a principal’s office and teacher workroom.

The middle school is being built as an attachment to an existing four-classroom building on the campus, and will feature a new entrance.

The original estimated cost for the project was approximately $1.5 million. Following the change orders, the total cost will be closer to $1.64 million.

The architect for the addition, Jerry Bishop, said the majority of the changes — approximately $81,832, related to electrical transformers — were necessary due to added requirements from the Cullman Co-op.

“The transformers are in the original design, but the co-op is the supplier of electrical service,” he said. “We originally designed it when the project was bid and the contractors expected them (transformers) to be in one location, but the co-op decided the location should be different.”

Bishop said the changes led to the added cost, to ensure the project met the co-op’s specifications.

“Therefore, because they decided to provide power from a different area, power had to be run from another location — getting between the transformers created a change order in itself,” Bishop said.

Orders approved include $42,807 to extend electrical service to the location of transformer one on the south end of the cafeteria, $15,939 to extend electrical service to the location of transformer two at the library and $4,708 to re-feed the gymnasium from transformer two at the library.

Bishop said changes during a project are a normal occurrence, as things change throughout the construction process.

“That’s normal and it happens at most every project,” he said. “The engineer thinks it should be at one place, but the co-op says it should be at a different location.”

A related $18,378 order to add a fire wall around the two transformer pads was also approved, due to the required changes.

“It’s a requirement by the co-op, due to regulations around the building,” Bishop said. “If you don’t have a clear 30 feet from the building, you have to have one (wall).”

In addition, a $2,459 security upgrade was passed, which will add video and intercom master controls in the principal’s office, as well as two additional cameras in the new hallway.

Changes to the roofing plan were also approved, which will “install 6-inch and 8-inch storm drainage (courtyard only) for future downspouts to be installed in the roofing contract, to be connected to storm drainage currently being installed,” according to the formal request. The work will add $29,730 to the project’s cost.

“In this case, we knew there would be a roofing project and knew there would have to be drainage in the area,” Bishop said. “If you don’t go ahead and do it while you can get larger equipment in, later on it would end up costing much more to do it after the fact. We did it now, to keep from costing the county more in the long run.”

Cullman County Schools Superintendent Hank Allen said he was sad to hear of the additional costs, but added he understands change orders are a regular and expected part of the construction process.

“You try and budget for these kinds of things ahead of time, but when they’re above budget it is a bit disheartening,” he said. “Of course, change orders happen all the time. I haven’t been involved with a project yet that didn’t have any change orders.”

All of the additional costs will be paid for with money from an $11.1 million bond issuance the system recently received, which is also funding an expansion at Harmony School.

The board also:

‰ Approved a $97,000 bid for partial renovation of the agricultural shop at Fairview High School. The project has been awarded to Intertech Construction. The renovations will be paid for with funds from the bond issue, specifically assigned for the project.

‰ Recognized Cold Springs Girls Cross Country Team, class 1A-2A, third place in the state: Courtney Attaway, Olivia Calvert, Jesse Haynes, Katie Huffstutler, Palee Myrex, Shelby Newton, Jamie Phillips, Haven Watson, Heaven Watson and coach Claborn Campbell.

‰ Recognized Palee Myrex, 2008 1A-2A state champion.

‰ Recognized Cold Springs boys cross country team, class 1A-2A, third place in the state: Will Busby, Blake Calvert, Tyler Campbell, Kyle Haynes, Christian Hulsey, Nathan Lewis, Nick Lewis, Lucas Marsh, Brett Swann, Joey Travis and coach Claborn Campbell.

‰ Recognized Nathan Lewis, 2008 1A-2A state champion.

‰ Recognized Nick Lewis, 2008 1A-2A state runner-up.

‰ Recognized Fairview girls cross country team, class 4A, fifth place place in the state: Stacy Earwood, Easton Gay, Porcha Hunter, Kelsey Rice, Chalyce Stancil, Marlah Stancil and coach Kristi Hooper.

‰ Recognized Fairview boys cross country team, class 4A, tenth place place in the state: Hunter Brewer, Cody Edge, Hunter Ethredge, Hayden Gay, Josh Kilgore, Cody Lackey, Dylan Lackey, Alex Sudduth, Drew Vincent, Tyler Vincent and coach Kristi Hooper.

‰ Recognized West Point girls cross country team, class 4A, ninth place in the state: Whitney Brown, Kristen Cutlip, Felisha Johnson, Krista Payne, Sierra Skinner and Brittany Sams.

‰ Approved the Oct. 16, 2008, minutes.

‰ Approved leaves of absence for: Holly Pond Elementary School teacher Leatha Miller, Good Hope Primary School Special Education Aide Janet Sweatman, Good Hope Primary School custodian Roger Ayers and Fairview Elementary School Special Education Aide Marcella (Susy) Creel.

‰ Approved the resignations of: Fairview Middle School girls basketball coach Cheryl Mangum, Good Hope High School secretary Sandra Scott and Vinemont School bus driver and central office bookroom helper Randall Etheredge.

‰ Approved the voluntary transfers of:

— Carolyn Ashley, from Fairview School bus driver to Child Development Center school bus driver.

— Mark Adams, from: Hanceville High School English teacher, to Hanceville High School librarian.

‰ Approved the appointments of: Child Development Center custodian Shirley Gardner and system-wide Scholar’s Bowl coordinator Christine O’Leary.

‰ Approved the part-time appointments of: System-wide migrant recruiter and translator Yolanda Thomas and bookroom delivery and inventory control person Katrina Putman.

‰ Approve the appointments of support personnel: Fairview School CNP worker Jodie Smith, Fairview School bus driver and vocational school bus driver Jennifer Manasco.

Approved the appointments of substitutes (pending background checks and paperwork): Kim Cogle, Linda Cadle, Rebecca Wallace, Angela Weissend, Pam Buttram, Linda Sandlin, Amanda Callan, Ashley Lawson, Brittney Barnett, Krisa Lemons, Toni Barnett, Melissa Light, Hilary Bice, Amy Makwana, Donald Bishop, Hilary McClendon, Lori Blubaugh, Robin McClendon, Doris Bolton, Keisha McDonald, Jamie Boyer, Patrick McDonald, Randy Britt, Shirley McKerley, Phamie Brown, Bill McRea, Nelda Burch, Shannon Means, Krista Bussey, Brenda Oden, Shannon Calhoun, Keri Philbrook, Ty Campbell, April Powell, Monica Cates, Debbie Quick, Christine Chambers, Anna Rayman, Christy Collier, Amber Redding, Amy Cooper, Adele Redicker, Jane Daniel, Cheranda Reese, Sharon Dietrick, Terry Ricks, Kamilah Drake, Louis Robertson, Sara Beth Duke, Jessica Rodgers, Patricia Dunn, Dana Rodgers, Steve Dyson, Stacie Rusk, Jill Edmondson, Haley Russell, Katina Evans, Tammy Samp, Monica Evans, Jeffery Sanders, Tiffany Farr, Shelley Sanders, Joel Ferrell, Connie Speegle, John Garmon, Christy Sterling, Michael Gay, Monna Leigh Thompson, Mindy Gervacio, Bridget Trammell, Kimberly Graham, Jennifer Tucker, Jackie Hawker, Valerie Vincent, Dustin Hill, Jonathan Vinson, Angela Johnson, Regina West, Christy Keeton, Mitsy Wilborne, Deborah Laney, Kaci Williams, Robin Wilson.

‰ Approved contract and salary changes for:

— Brittany Thompson, add Cold Springs Middle School basketball cheerleader sponsor supplement.

— Jason Teichmiller, add Cold Springs High School baseball assistant supplement.

— Kim Burleson, add Cold Springs High School junior varsity basketball cheerleader sponsor supplement.

— Kim Burleson, add Cold Springs High School varsity basketball cheerleader sponsor supplement.

— Cathi Bradford, add Hanceville Middle School basketball cheerleader sponsor supplement.

— Deanne Johnson, add Hanceville Middle School girls basketball coach supplement.

— Jodi Leverett, add Fairview Middle School girls basketball coach supplement.

— Candice Harbison, add West Point High School dance team sponsor supplement.

‰ Approved BBSST stipends and chairpersons.

‰ Approved an out-of-state field trip request from Cullman County Gifted Education Program, CDC, for a Jan. 19 – 23, 2009 trip to Washington, D.C.Kathy Scruggs, Michelle Tipton and Kristie Walker will chaperone. The group will travel by round-trip motor-coach to attend the Presidential Inauguration Experience (tours of Arlington Cemetery, Washington National Cathedral, Inaugural Event, US Capitol, Library of Congress, White House, Peterson House, Mt. Vernon, Smithsonian Museum & all monuments and memorials).

‰ Approved a request from Good Hope High School for the Quarterback Club to pay Chris Moss, Alan Dunkling, Mitch Witcher, Nathan McCluskey and Taft Dillashaw $750.00 each for summer field maintenance.

‰ Approved a request from Good Hope High School for Breann Prince to receive the junior varsity cheerleading supplement for the 2008-2009 school year.

‰ Approved a request from the Cullman Area Career Center to construct a precision machining program classroom on its campus with funds secured through the facilities grant. Construction costs will not exceed funding limitations and the entire project will be designed and constructed by the students and teachers at the career center. This will be considered a life skills project.

‰ Approved a request from Parkside School for permission to thin out and remove timber from the school grounds to create an outdoor classroom.

‰ Approved the 2008-2009 continuous improvement plans for the Child Development Center, Cold Springs High School, Vinemont High School and West Point High School.

‰ Approved a “lease agreement” between the Cullman County Commission on Education and Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc.-Headstart Program for July 1, 2008 - June 30, 2009.

‰ Approved a request from the Cullman County Commission on Education to enter in an agreement with the Community Action Partnership of North Alabama, Inc-Head Start Program that their “lease agreement” in reference to Welti School be renewed for the next five tears, based on the joint venture to upgrade the playground.

‰ Approved maintenance department bids for:

— A new transportation shop fuel island (bus barn), at approximately $25,000, with Summit Sales & Service.

— The Good Hope softball field concessions & dugout painting, at $ 9,120, with OF Richter & Sons, Inc.

‰ Approved a maintenance department public works project for the Good Hope Elementary office intercom replacement & relocation of phones and bell system, for $ 8,850, with Superior Services, Inc.

‰ Approved initial efforts to pursue district-wide SACS/CASI District Accreditation.

‰ Approved September 2008 payroll and bills.

‰ Approved the 2007-2012 district technology plan.

‰ Approved a request to pay local school technology coordinators stipends, with the use of Enhancing Education through Technology Formula grant funds.

‰ Approved a request from the Cullman County Education Support Professionals for two days professional leave for the A.E.A. delegate assembly in Montgomery, Al., from Dec. 4-6, 2008. Delegates and alternates include: Gwendolyn Purifoy, Mary Jane Leverett, Paula Sue McCravy, Shirley Sowell, Jean Baker, Connie Baker, Virginia Rhoades, Roland Gay, Ann Freeman, Dual Mayfield, Susan Gay, Debra Graves, Janet Davis and Connie Barnett.

‰ Approved an out-of-state field trip request for Fairview FCCLA to attend an FCCLA meeting in Dallas, Tx., from Nov. 21-24.

‰ Elected and appointed board officers: President Jerry Schuman and Vice-President Danny Aldredge.

‰ Announced the next meeting for Monday, Dec. 15, 2008, with a work session beginning at 5:30 p.m. and the meeting at 6:30 p.m. at the central office board room.

‰ Trent Moore can be reached by e-mail at trentm@cullmantimes.com, or by telephone at 734-2131, ext. 225.