Extra security approved for 8 JC elementary schools

The Jefferson City Board of Education on Wednesday unanimously approved $1.57 million in spending to improve the safety and security of eight elementary schools in the district.

After a modicum of discussion, the board accepted the lowest bid, tendered by GBH Builders Inc.

The project will allow the district to either build new vestibules or secure the existing ones at eight buildings, including: Belair, Callaway Hills, Cedar Hill, Lawson, Moreau Heights, North and Thorpe Gordon elementary schools and Southwest Early Childhood Center.

The work also includes asbestos abatement in all but two of the buildings.

The new vestibules will allow the schools' secretaries to see and talk with visitors before buzzing them into the buildings. The renovations also will include bullet-proof teller's windows, so people can drop off small packages without entering the facilities.

At two of the buildings - Thorpe Gordon and the Southwest Early Childhood Center - the renovations will require moving administrative offices closer to the building's front doors. Facilities Director Bob Weber said the renovations will require some classrooms to be renovated into offices.

The district received competitive bids from three area general contractors: Five Oaks, Sircal Contracting and GBH Builders. Sircal's bid was the highest at $1.44 million, followed by Five Oaks at $1.41 million and GBH Builders at $1.39 million.

However, because the district decided to go with an alternate glass door and window provider - Kawneer Window Systems to be installed by Brady's Glass - a change order with an additional cost of $175,370 was necessary.

Architect Cary Gampher, who reviewed the bids for the school district, said the Kawneer window system is preferable for its longer-term durability.

"These are highly used doors," Gampher said. "People are going in and out of them all day."

The change order for Kawneer was added to the general contractor's base bid.

Once the asbestos abatement and the architect's fees are included, the district will be spending about $1.8 million total, Weber said.

Chief Financial Officer Jason Hoffman told the board during their deliberations: "I'd like to say, with the change order, we're still under the estimated budget of $2 million."