By Wayne E. Rivet

Staff Writer

Earlier this year, there was a major concern that due to a high volume of construction activity across the state, SAD 61 might see bids for the Crooked River School project exceed what voters approved for the renovation and facility expansion.

Covid-19 has apparently changed the construction landscape.

SAD 61 received five bids for the project, and Monday night via a virtual meeting, the school board accepted the bid from Great Falls Construction of Gorham for $7,262,727. Work is expected to commence on April 13.

Superintendent Al Smith reported that the bid comes in at a savings of $800,000 — $300,000 will serve as contingency, while the remaining $500,000 will be earmarked for technology equipment and furniture.

Great Falls actually has a connection to Crooked River. A couple of yeas ago, the original builder of the Route 11 facility merged with Great Falls Construction, Smith reported.

“We’re pretty excited. We’re looking forward to working with Great Falls Construction, which has a great reputation,” said Smith, noting that Andy Madura, who is the district’s director of Transportation, Maintenance and Food Service, has worked with the company before and speaks highly of its work.

Smith also noted that three local contractors have been hired to assist with the project, and SAD 61 has yet to select a clerk of the works (a 20-hour a week position), although various options are being considered.

SAD 61 received five bids. Smith pointed out that initially there was a bid that came in lower than Great Falls Construction, but that company discovered a “large mistake” on its bid and needed to adjust it by about $300,000.

“Once the bids are open, it is illegal to change your bid. Therefore, that company had to withdraw their bid,” Smith said. 

The largest bid was Doten’s Construction at $8,103,769. 

The bid number of $7,262.727 by Great Falls that was accepted included 12 add alternates. 

“The bid was put together with the add alternates, so if needed, adjustments could be made to put our project in line with what was presented to the selectmen,” Smith said. “The add alternates were just over one million (dollars). As it turned out, the bid was accepted, with the add alternates as it came in as budgeted.”

Some of the alternates were upgrades included use of aluminum clad windows over vinyl clad windows, replace existing roofing system, metal lockers, roller window shades and diesel generator (to name a few).

In other school board meeting notes:

• Although directors approved the proposed budget figure of $31,281,633, the big question is when will taxpayers get a chance to act on the funding request. 

Smith did meet with area selectmen and presented the proposal before the pandemic struck. At the moment, there is no clear indication when a public hearing will be held on the proposed budget or when a validation vote is held.

“We’re in a holding pattern,” Smith told directors.

If there is no vote on the proposed budget by the last day of the current fiscal year (June 30), by law, SAD 61 will operate under the current budget until the public acts on the proposed budget.

• Board Chairwoman Janice Barter recognized the passing of long-time Naples leader and firefighter Rick Paraschak, who succumbed to the coronavirus. She called Paraschak a “strong presence” in the community and “strongly cared” about kids and family.

• On the personnel front, directors approved these nominations:

Gillian Brosnan as a long-term substitute (one day per week) at Stevens Brook Elementary School, replacing Jay Patridge, who is on leave.

Jason Ward as a high school instrumental music teacher at Lake Region High School, replacing Sarah Foster who is resigning at the end of the 2019-20 school year. Ward earned a master of music education degree from the University of Southern Maine in 2016. Previously, he was a music teacher at Riverton Elementary School in Portland and was director of music at St. Dominic’s Academy and Sacopee Valley High/Middle School in Hiram. He also was a band director at Camden-Rockport Middle School 2010-2013. There were 12 applicants for the position, three were interviewed.

Jessica Massey as an administrative secretary for Transportation & Facilities, replacing Bethany Brann, who resigned. Massey holds an associate’s degree in Business Administration from Bay State College in Boston, Mass. She previously was an operations project coordinator for Paul White Company of Portland, project coordinator at Chick Lumber in North Conway, N.H. and a MET associate at Home Depot in North Conway, N.H. There were 18 applicants, and six were interviewed.

Patrick Janney as a custodian at Lake Region High School, replacing Dan Kimball who transferred to another position. Previously, Janney (a graduate of Westbrook High School) was a customer service representative for Spectrum in Portland. There were eight applicants, four were interviewed.

Resignations received and accepted: Jill Flagg as a Songo Locks Elementary School teacher effective March 9; Brendan Williams as a Lake Region Middle School teacher effective at the end of the 2019-20 school year; Audra Taylor as a special education teacher at Lake Region High School effective March 13.

On a related front, the school board granted Superintendent Smith authority to hire new teachers during the district closure period.