School board eyes $1.6 million in summer construction projects

A new boiler at Jefferson Elementary, another modular classroom at Jim Darcy and roofing projects at both high schools are among the summer construction projects eyed by the Helena school district.

The four projects, totaling around $1.6 million, are consent items for the school board during its scheduled work session this afternoon.

Replacing the boiler system at Jefferson, installed in 1948, will cost nearly $200,000, the meeting agenda states. The original boiler has exceeded its expected service life by more than double, and the building does not currently have a backup system in place should it fail. Tri-County Mechanical and Electrical Inc. made the low bid for the project.

The district is looking to construct a 1,960-square-foot building to hold two classrooms at Jim Darcy Elementary for a cost of up to $172,000. Golden Eagle Construction Inc. is named as the recommended contractor.

Its the second phase of a three-year project to add one section of kindergarten, first and second grade classes to the Helena Valley school to reduce the number of students bused into the city. The school library was moved into a modular building last summer.

The most expensive projects to be approved by trustees are roofing replacement and repairs at both high schools. Capital High is slated to have more than 27,000 square feet of roofing replaced for $698,000, while Helena High needs work on 58,000 square feet for $551,000.

Diamond Construction Inc. submitted the low bid for the CHS project. Progressive Roofing, of Missoula, was the low bidder for the HHS re-roof.

Additionally, staff from Broadwater Elementary will present academic data about their school to trustees. The work session begins at 4 p.m. at Broadwater Elementary.

A separate board meeting focused on the elementary school bond proposal will be held on Wednesday at Ray Bjork Learning Center. The meeting begins at 6 p.m.

Reporter Derek Brouwer can be reached at derek.brouwer@helenair.com or 447-4081. Follow Derek on Twitter @IR_DerekBrouwer

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School board eyes $1.6 million in summer construction projects