USD 408 building project underway years ago
Sports reporter
Marion-Florence USD 408 Board of Education has begun plans for its new facilities.
Voters passed a bond vote April 4 by a 3-1 margin that allows the district to build an indoor pool, wellness center, and auditorium.
Monday the board talked over plans with architect Greg Tice of Spangenberg/Phillips.
Tice laid out a schedule that would have schematic design plans begin this week, design development start next month, and the finalizing of constriction documents by the end of August.
Bidding for construction of the project would start around the first of September, with construction targeted for the first of October. The board hopes the project will be complete by early November 2007.
Tice said one of the critical items in the scheduling is surveying of land which will begin next week.
"That is in the works," superintendent Lee Leiker said.
A special meeting was set by the board for 6 p.m. Wednesday to discuss seating in the gymnasium and auditorium, as well as other information.
In other news:
— Project financial adviser Steve Shogren of George K. Baum spoke Monday to the board about selling the bonds.
He said the ideal plan would be to involve the local banks, and they will meet with the board and Shogren to discuss options.
The board will try to keep the money local, but if a reasonable agreement cannot be made, the deal may have to move to a regional bank.
— The board approved its Kansas Association of School Board dues for the 2006-07 school year in the amount of $6,828.
— The board approved its KASB legal assistant fund dues in the amount $1,100.
— The board approved a scholarship for Marion High School in the name of the late Stephen Bowers.
— A Lincoln Sp-250 Mig Welder was approved by the board to become surplus property. An individual is interested in buying the welder for $700.
— The board approved transportation of students for the Prairie View summer program.
— The board adopted changes to transportation policies.
Marion County reinstates burn ban
Marion County Commission reinstated a county burn ban Monday due to dry weather conditions and high winds.
The board will re-evaluate the situation Monday at the weekly meeting.
