Published: September 26, 2008 11:17 am         

District set to break ground for new school

Trustees OK bids, allowances for elementary campus that will cost about $11.86 million to build

By Libby Cluett
lcluett@mineralwellsindex.com

MILLSAP – In a one-two punch, Millsap ISD board members spent two nights in a row meeting in regular session Monday and in a special called meeting Tuesday, primarily to discuss construction of the new elementary school.

Preparing to kick off construction for the new elementary school, MISD board members approved 39 project bids for the new elementary school totaling almost $9.4 million. According to MISD board president Dene Herbel, they hashed out numbers until 10:30 p.m.

Accepted bids ranged from $674 bid for “corner guards” from Blue Sky Sales to $923,440 for structural steel and miscellaneous metals from Basden Steel.

The board also approved 13 allowances for the project, totaling $2.4 million. The combined total bill for the elementary school is projected at $11.846 million.

Groundbreaking is Oct. 1 at 9 a.m. at the corner of Wilson Bend Road and Farm-to-Market Road 113, north of Millsap. Those attending need to enter the property off Wilson Bend Road.

All elementary students will attend. The Millsap High School band and cheerleaders will also “be there to help us with the new groundbreaking and spirit of the elementary school,” said Hunkapiller.

He said he expects the school to be completed and ready to use in August 2010.

On Monday, board members honored a team of teachers for their work to make the district’s elementary and high school “Recognized.”

Superintendent Jerry Lee Hunkapiller praised elementary teachers for achieving the Texas Education Agency’s second highest academic rating for the second year in a row.

He also gave kudos to high school teachers for also acquiring the “Recognized” distinction.

“We’re very proud of our elementary and high school,” said Hunkapiller. “The state accountability test is more difficult each year.

“The middle school is knocking on the door [of being ‘recognized’],” he added. “We missed being recognized as a district by one test – science. We hope to get there very soon.”

Hunkapiller told the teachers this recognition made Millsap a great school district, adding, “I don’t think I’d want my kids going anywhere else.”

The board also recognized Dana Ables “for completing her 40th consecutive year as a 1st grade teacher in Millsap ISD” and recognized the Future Farmers of America officers for 2008-09.

In other business on both evenings, Millsap ISD board members:

• Approved allowing the Millsap Youth Association to host games at the old football field and use the concession stands.

Board member Michael Stack said he would like the district to fix some things in the bathrooms, which he considers “are still a reflection on the district. We want them to be presentable, especially since we are moving in another direction with the new stadium and facilities.”

• Discussed current construction projects, which included an update on completion of the high school addition and the field house. Hunkapiller said he expects these projects to be completed by the time kids come back in January after the holidays.

• Approved $46,865 for track renovation. This will include scraping and leveling the high and low spots in the asphalt, removing any soft spots and replacing them with concrete.