Contract awarded to build school; GPS hires CFO, Special Services position

In a special meeting on Thursday evening, Guthrie Public Schools awarded a contract for construction of Charter Oak Elementary and hired two administration positions for the district.

Following a presentation by the school district’s architecture, The Stacy Group, the Board of Education voted 5-0 to approve a contract with M.L. McNatt for a total of $9,284,500. The construction company is based out of Oklahoma City.

See complete meeting in the video following this article.

BOE President Jennifer Bennett-Johnson was absent and board member Janna Pierson abstained from the vote.

There  were 12 bids placed for the construction with the lowest bid coming from M.L. McNatt.

The base bid came in at $9,123,000, but the board agreed to the alternate plans of additional parking lot ($31,000), sound panels ($96,500) and two outdoor concrete basketball courts ($34,000).

Superintendent Dr. Mike Simpson told the board the total cost of the school, including fees, comes in just over $10.5 million. The district budgeted $11.4 million.

Construction is expected to begin in approximately 60 days.

The school will be constructed to the east of the intersection of Douglas Blvd. and Charter Oak Road in southern Logan County. Related article: School board names new school in southern Logan County

Patrons of Guthrie Public Schools overwhelmingly approved a $16.2 million bond issue on May 12, 2015.  One of the largest items contained in the issue was construction of the elementary school.

BOE hires CFO and Director of Special Services

After an executive session, the BOE hired Michelle Chapple for the district’s Chief Financial Officer and Angie Smedley as the Director of Special Education.

Last month, Asst. Superintendent Dennis Schulz, who overlooks the school district’s finances, and Director of Special Education Eldona Woodruff announced they would be retiring in June. Related article: Two Guthrie administrators among four to retire from school system

Smedley served as the district’s School Psychologist, while Chapple served as the Finance Director for Oklahoma City Public Schools. More to come on this.