Muhlenberg County board approves $8.67 million construction bid package for high school auxiliary gym

The Muhlenberg County board voted to accept a construction bid package for the Muhlenberg County High School auxiliary gym that the board recorded as $8,674,732.13, a staff presenter said.

Lewis with Kodell, who led the bid presentation, told the board that a bid opening was held on the 24th and that Code Construction recommended approval of the base construction bid and formal acceptance of alternate number one — the owner-preferred HVAC and controls — which he described as a no-cost item because the mechanical contractor had already included the preferred controls in its base bid: "would like to make the recommendation to the board to approve the base bid" (Lewis with Kodell).

Lewis also described alternate number two as a $487,929 addition to replace telescoping bleachers in the existing competition gym, saying the bleachers themselves were the largest portion of that amount and that minor electrical work and demolition were included in that figure.

The board clerk asked for a motion to accept "the bid package in the amount for just the construction cost," which was recited in the meeting as $8,674,732.13. Mr. Porter made the motion; Miss Bard seconded. The chair called for those in favor to say "I," members responded affirmatively and the chair reported no opposition; the board advanced the bid package as presented.

Board members discussed schedule and monitoring. Lewis said contracts and shop drawings require preparation and that the schedule showed a proposed contract start date of July 13, with utility tie-ins scheduled over fall break so that construction impacts to school operations would be minimized. He said the goal was to complete work prior to the start of classes in August but that the schedule allows for some weather-related slippage.

Jan clarified in response to a member question that the bleachers were included in the bid cost. Board members also stressed the need to actively monitor contractor timing; staff and the construction manager said they would track progress and flag issues early.

The board did not cite any statutory authority during the discussion. Next procedural steps noted in the meeting were contract issuance, shop drawing review and contractor oversight during the construction schedule.