STARKVILLE — The Starkville-Oktibbeha Consolidated School District Board approved bids totaling almost $3.8 million for three facility projects during its Tuesday evening meeting at Greensboro Center.
SOCSD will pay for the improvements through a combination of district funds and federal Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) money it has received during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two of the project bids, one to renovate the interior of Armstrong Junior’s A building and another to renovate Armstrong’s gym, were awarded to Ethos Contracting Group, a Starkville based firm. The other, to replace the HVAC at Overstreet Elementary, was awarded to McLain Plumbing.
The bid for Armstrong’s A building came in at $1.3 million and will include new light fixtures, a renovated library, makerspaces and new labs, according to Architectronics owner Thomas Stewart, who presented the bids to the board.
The Armstrong gym renovations are less costly, with the bid totaling $761,688.
“That’s renewing all the finishes, the lobby, bathrooms and locker rooms,” Stewart said. “We already have someone under contract that’s refinishing the gym floor and bleachers. When we’re done, the interior of that building will be completely renovated.”
Stewart said these projects could begin as soon as Sept. 1 and could be done by spring.
“If I recall correctly, the gym is around 180 to 200 days, while the interior renovation at Armstrong is 240 days.,” Stewart said.
The bid for the Overstreet HVAC replacements came in at $1.7 million, and the board discussed ways to possibly reduce that price tag before ultimately approving the plan. All three bids passed unanimously.
In other business, the board approved SOCSD’s Fiscal Year 2023 budget and a request to levy ad valorem taxes for the upcoming school year. Taxes will not increase as a result.
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