Lease/lease back option being pursued
GALT, Ca. (March 20) - A special board meeting was held to discuss the lease/lease back option for the construction of the new high school along with presentation by representatives of F & H Construction.
The "Lease" in Lease Back
The term "lease" creates a bit of confusion with this issue. The fact is that the district takes ownership back from the construction company a short time after construction is completed.
The history of Lease/lease back with Galt High
Although proposed in the past, the process has finally moved forward with the support of our new board and in particular the leadership of our Board President Norm Pearson. The Oakview School District has completed previous projects with the use of the Lease/lease back method and F & H construction, and is VERY happy. Thanks to Norm Pearson and the president of the Oak View Board for their input on Lease/ lease back.
Cost Savings
Traditionally bid construction projects allow for only a single bid from on each area of the project. Lease/lease back will allow the bidder to bid the original items but also supply a Value Added bid on the item. Value Added bids are the bidders modified price based on different specifications, materials, or construction methods. This method allows each bidder to supply 2 separate bids on the same item, and present both to the district for approval. Significant cost savings can be had using this method.
The Bottom Line "Maximum Guaranteed Price"
The construction company will supply the district with a Maximum Guaranteed Price for the construction of the new high school. The bids will be available in mid April and we are hopeful the price of this project will be within our budget. (See Below)
Insurance slashed, Blackberry's saved!
March 12, 2007 | By: Art Oelsner
GALT, Ca. (March 12) - Another Galt High board meeting, another late night. Interesting start as a member of the audience came to lecture the board about not bring egos into the meeting. Too bad this particular gentleman hadn't been to any of the previous meetings to observe that we really are a much tamer bunch than he wanted to imply.
Key issues addressed:
The "Blackberry Initiative"
The board voted unanimously to "discourage" the use of electronic communication devices during open session. Unfortunately this became an issue, for the first time ever, because I apparently gave the perception to another board member that I was "text messaging" someone in the audience during my first board meeting. I confess, I was. The message was from my wife, in the front row, it read, "Sit up straight." Guilty as I am, I am sad that it took the time and resources of the board to address this issue. It is really about TRUST between board members, and not about technology. Interesting that Mr. Maple has been using his cell phone the last couple of meetings.
The Insurance Issue:
We voted on Health Insurance for board members. The vote was 3-2 in favor of an $800 cap on benefits for board members. The old program allowed board members to take as much as $1600. from the district. We now have a cap that is within $10.00 of what an employee with a 4 member family would pay for health insurance at Galt High School. Pat made a motion to eliminate the benefit altogether. That should serve him well in the next election.
Crime on Campus
Vice Principal, Joe Saramago, presented an excellent response to the issues concerning crime on campus mentioned at a previous meeting. Very proactive and specific in addressing the individual concerns expressed.
Short term goals:
- Lines will be painted on the concrete outside restrooms stating "no loitering".
- Campus security personnel have been briefed about the importance of monitoring restrooms and questioning anyone that does not belong on school grounds.
- Teachers have been encouraged to use proper passes for restroom use, and report excessive bathroom breaks or suspicious behavior.
- Campus security will attend training in April that will cover the roles and responsibilities of school security, laws and liability, security awareness in the educational environment, mediation and conflict resolution, disasters and emergencies, and the dynamics of student behavior.
Long Term Goals:
- Work with local police on using an undercover officer to help uncover illegal activity.
- Hire a full time Resourse Officer to increase the number of campus security personnel.
- Create a parent volunteer group to monitor activity on and around campus.
- Implement the use of drug dogs on campus.
- Increase the number of security cameras on campus.
- Put a fence around the campus.
The Change Order Process
Contrary to Mr. "let's keep doing business from the front porch of the general store" objection, we now have an excellent change order procedure. It's not about "rubber stamping" everything that comes in front of us Pat, it's about doing business in a professional manner. With the help of Darlene Waddle and our district's construction manager, Trevor, a policy has been developed that is clear, concise, and brings the whole process up to a business standard we can be proud of.