BIC chooses construction manager

In its regular meeting Monday, Feb. 10, the Buffalo Island School Board interviewed four construction groups before choosing one to be construction manager for its proposed K-12 school to be located along Highway 18 near the Mississippi/Craighead county line.

School Board members heard 20 minute presentations from Tate Construction, Ramsons Construction, CNI Construction, and Nabholz Construction. Each group talked about staying on budget, staying on schedule, communication with the district as well as the community, working with subcontractors and past experience in school construction.

BIC superintendent Gaylon Taylor asked each group about areas of cost savings, bid packages and availability if the project were to be approved next year. Taylor said there would be no fees paid to a construction manager until actual work on the proposed K-12 project started.

The district wanted to bring a construction manager in early on to provide accurate cost estimates for the project, identify areas of cost savings and to work with architects during the drawing process.

BIC Board members agreed that each of the four groups gave great presentations saying the district couldn't go wrong picking any one of the four.

"We are very fortunate to have four quality groups to interview," Taylor said. "We as a district would like to express our appreciation to all the individuals here tonight and thank them for their time. After discussing theses presentations the board has chosen to go with Nabholz."

Nabholz, who has been in business since 1949, has built 32 FEMA storm shelters, 90 percent of its business is in construction management, 80 percent of its business is from repeat clients, and has a long history of school construction and believes in zero surprises. Jake Nabholz explained if there are issues they will be brought to the forefront and there will be an open line of communication with the district, engineers, architects and all those involved in the project.

Once a construction manager was chosen the board talked briefly about the timeline for a millage proposal. All agreed that a millage increase will not be brought to patrons until there are definite plans in place as far as potential cost and location.

In other business board members met briefly in executive session to discuss personnel issues. Upon coming back into open session the board voted unanimously to renew principal contracts, accepted the resignation of Peggy Holland at the end of the school year, and hire Marty Peel to fill Holland's position.

Taylor also told the board he had spoken to Arkansas Northeastern College and there is a way to offer BIC high school students the opportunity to earn 24 college credits. He explained that parents would pay the $40 per credit hour fee and the classes could be offered either in conjunction with AP courses or online. Taylor explained the district is still working out the details but hopes the classes could be offered staring next school year.