05/17/12 The Plymouth School Board approved the retirement of Riverside Principal Donna Burroughs at a special meeting held on May 15. Burroughs has accepted a position as

superintendent for the Triton Community Schools; however, due to retirement status, she must be out of the Plymouth position for at least 30 days before moving to another school corporation. Her last day with Plymouth Schools will be the last day of May. Burroughs will begin at Triton on July 1.

In other matters, the board considered bids for construction of space to house the School of Inquiry at Plymouth High School. The New Tech High School will begin with the start of the 2012-2013 school year and occupy space in existing areas of PHS. The first year, the enrollment has been limited to 100 students, but that number is expected to increase by 100 students each year until they reach a maximum of 400 students. According to Assistant Superintendent Rodger Smith, the bids for the project came in at $1, 863,999 which is $136,010 under projected budget.

The first phase of the project was bid at $115,000 which included the demolition of the pool area. The work for the demolition should be completed by the first of next week, according to Smith. There was an additional $15,000 added for the demolition of the girl’s locker room to accommodate an entrance into the School of Inquiry.

Michiana Contracting, Inc. was awarded the bid as the General Contractor. Michiana Contracting submitted a base bid of $987,190 plus $2,000 to provide and install acoustic panels.  In addition to Michiana Contracting, bids were submitted by Brown & Brown General Contractor (base bid, $1,061,000); Brown, Leo Construction (base bid, $1,080,000); Casteel Construction Corp (base bid, $1,180,000); Gibson-Lewis, LLC (base bid, $1,151,700); Larson-Danielson Construction (base bid, $1,040, 523), and Sheets, W.A. & Sons, Inc. (base bid, $1,042,000). Alternate bids for providing and installing acoustic panels ranged from $2000-$25,000.

The bid for Mechanical Contractors was awarded to Ideal Mechanical at a bid of $558,800. Other bidders included: Dodd, D.A. ($673,545); Griffen Plumbing & Heating, Inc. ($588,000); Hattersley, A. & sons, Inc. ($715,900); Project Design & Piping ($583,200); and Hermann & Goetz, Inc. ($609,000).

The Electrical Contractor bid was awarded to Colip Electric at a base bid of $315,000 and work associated with fire alarm at $1,000. Michiana Contracting, Inc. submitted a base bid for $315,000, but bid $23,000 in addition for the firm alarm work. Herrman & Goetz, Inc. bid $344,700 and an additional bid of $32,500 for the fire alarm work.

The project is expected to be completed by the spring of 2013.

Carol Anders Correspondent