E-Mail
Print
tool name
close
Friday, Nov. 20, 2009
Merced high school district has two timelines for building projects
High school board has to deal with uncertainty of state funding.
The Merced Union High School District board endorsed two timelines for the completion of new construction projects in the district over the next five years.
Because state funding remains precarious, the trustees approved two separate timelines when they met Wednesday.
The first assumes that the state provides its full share of funding for Bellevue Road Area High School next year; the new school could be finished in 2012. The timeline assumes that some extras will be cut from building projects throughout the district, to the tune of $1.2 million.
The second timeline assumes the district won't receive any state matching funds for the new school's construction. Other projects -- such as new gyms at Atwater and Merced -- would be moved up, while Bellevue Road Area High School wouldn't even break ground within the next five years.
The state allocation board awarded $35.8 million in state matching funds for the construction of Bellevue Road Area High School and $7.3 million for an expansion project at the Livingston campus, but the projects were placed on an "approved, unfunded" list.
That means the state must sell more than $1 billion in school construction bonds to investors before Merced Union believes it will get its share of state money.
The district's lobbyist believes state funding will be released in April or September next year.
For now, the district will move forward with less-expensive projects that will be finished under either timeline until the state funding situation becomes clearer.
In other news, district staff asked the board to allow them to hire a new position at the district office for a "school district project manager." The manager would oversee ongoing construction projects and report to the current director of facilities. The annual salary for the position ranges from $88,032 to $95,763, with $9,300 for health benefits, according to meeting documents.
Assistant Superintendent Raynee Daley said officials would present sample contracts to the board at their next meeting.
The new project manager position hasn't been created, only discussed. Superintendent Scott Scambray did say the district office has already received applications for the job, which would last only as long as there are Measure M building projects to oversee.
Reporter Danielle E. Gaines can be reached at (209) 385-2407 or dgaines@mercedsun-star.com.
A few rules are needed to help foster a feeling of community. We encourage a free, CIVIL and open exchange of ideas in a climate of mutual respect, but any post that violates someone's right to use and enjoy mercedsunstar.com is prohibited. Before you post, please read the terms of use and obey these simple guidelines. Here are the ground rules:
1. Be yourself. A nickname will be used for posts, but if an editor finds a user without a verifiable name , that user will be warned or banned.
2. Keep it clean. Foul language (defined by prime-time standards) will not be tolerated. Neither will the intentional misspelling of foul language or the use of non-English curse words.
3. Be truthful. Do not lie or link to sites that may be considered libelous, defamatory or false.
4. Be nice. Don't harass anyone. Don't threaten anyone. Don't use racial slurs. Don't post anything sexually explicit.
5. Be an individual. Do not advertise or solicit. Do not harvest any information for business use.
6. Be original. Do not post copyrighted material.
7. Follow the law. Don't do anything or post anything considered illegal by city, county, state or federal regulations and laws.
On most news stories, the commenting period is closed after three days. If you wish to continue a discussion, please use The Sunspot forum.
@Nyx.CommentBody@