School Board tables bids for new offices

     The Clear Lake School Board has tabled bids for remodeling at the Middle School to create new administrative offices.
    The district received seven bids for the project, which is needed following the sale of the district’s downtown Administrative Building.  The board and its architect had planned to spend about $250,000 for the work, however bids ranged from $298,790 to $423,000.  
    After discussion at its Monday, Dec. 22, meeting, the board directed Bergland and Cram Architects to negotiate with the low bidder, Larson Contracting of Lake Mills, Iowa on alternate bids that were included in the package.  
    The project will include creation of superintendent offices, board room, print center and storage rooms. Currently, the offices are temporarily housed at Clear Creek Elementary School.
    The board will receive more information about the project costs at its Jan. 12 meeting.
    Randy Cram also provided the board with an overview of a district facility study conducted several years ago and the new costs associated with it.  Bergland and Cram Architects  are prioritizing needs identified in the study. 
    In other business, the board approved a three-year contract with the NIACC Information Technology Hub located in the Garner-Hayfield School District.  Clear Lake will purchase two seats in the hub.
    Agreements for post-secondary education opportunities in the areas of building trades and climate control were also approved at the meeting.  Clear Lake teacher Mike Lester will teach two courses in the NIACC Building Trades; they are Maintenance Shop Operations and Electronic Concepts. 
    Superintendent Dwight Pierson noted that next year the district could look at adding another course in Building Trades.  Conversations are also ongoing to provide courses relating to health professions.