T-R PHOTO BY LANA BRADSTREAM Boyd Jones representatives Mitch Broekemeier and Michael Martin break down Reimagine Miller contracts for the Marshalltown Community School District Board of Education. Most of the contracts received unanimous approval at Monday's regular meeting.

Most of the Reimagine Miller contracts received unanimous approval by the Marshalltown Community School District during the regular Monday meeting.

Boyd Jones representative Mitch Broekemeier started the explanation of the bid packages by telling board members they have good news. The remaining packages – subgrade waterproofing and theater equipment – completed all of the packages for the Reimagine Miller project and Boyd Jones’ packages for the bond.

Gopher Stage Lighting got the theater equipment package at a cost of $563,950. The subgrade waterproofing was awarded to CK Fairco for $162,345. Ultimately, Broekemeier said it was another great bid day, and good conversations were held.

“After we bid everything out and all the costs were tallied, we had $1.7 million that we were under the $106 million,” he said. “Which at 1.65 percent is a really tight margin from what we would typically see. Normally it’s probably closer to 5 percent either way. So, this was a big effort from both the design team, our team and obviously you guys making the decisions to drive this to such an accurate number.”

That accuracy allowed them to speak with Superintendent Theron Schutte and Executive Director of Finance & Operations Randy Denham to discuss alternates, most of which centered on the Miller Middle School auditorium.

“When we left, we said we need to wait and get these other numbers back in to figure out what we want to do with the rest of these alternates,” Broekemeier told them.

All but two of the alternates – a renovated and expanded concession area and adding a drip irrigation system at the building overhangs – were recommended for approval. If those were awarded, he said they would be less than $800 away from the $106 million bond amount.

He said the numbers do not take into consideration a $500,000 savings that is likely coming back due to a change in glazing. Broekemeier said the intent would be, when that money comes back, they would return and try to get approval for the remaining alternates.

“That being said, the entire scope that was originally presented is in this project now, at this point,” he said.

Board member Leah Stanley, who was the only “no” vote, noted that many of the alternates revolved around the theater, such as the portable orchestra walls and ceiling, rigging winches, a stage company switch, portable stage lighting, wireless microphones and a scenery projection system. She asked if the district could fundraise for the auditorium, since one of the big reasons for including the space was for the community, and it is not something a middle school would typically have.

Schutte told him there is nothing underway now, but there is potential. However, a big challenge is the major fundraising effort for the Marshalltown Performing Arts Center at the high school.

“To compete with that would not be good at this time, but there is potential for that,” he said. “This is one of those deals where you got one shot to get it right. It’s been 100 years since anything of significance has happened. I’m super excited through the value engineering Boyd Jones was able to do and the favorable bids we’ve received to capture everything we need and want, potentially, for this project.”

Schutte said he believes some funds will come from the Marshalltown Community Theater, since the district partnered with them and offered the group the use of the Miller auditorium when it is not in use.

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Contact Lana Bradstream at 641-753-6611 ext. 210 or

lbradstream@timesrepublican.com