RE-1 Valley Board of Education takes next step with full-day kindergarten

STERLING During their regular meeting Monday, the RE-1 Valley Board of Education approved giving authority to the board treasurer or president and the superintendent to enter into a contract to construct and install modular units at Ayres Elementary.

The contract will either be with Eagle Creek or Satellite for construction and installation of modular units containing four classrooms, restrooms and that are ADA accessible, with neither contract to exceed $361,000 as the cost.

While the modular units are being used to handle full-day kindergarten for all kindergarten students next year, it will actually be the second grade students that use them.

Superintendent Dr. Jan DeLay noted there was some confusion about the number of kindergarten students that the district will have next year. They are expecting approximately 150 to 160 total students, similar to this year's number, not 150 additional students. However, the class sizes will be smaller, with about 20 to 21 students in each of the eight classes.

She also pointed out that the state may not fund full-day kindergarten for all students next year, but it's a benefit to have it to help attract more students.

DeLay reported she met with representatives from Eagle Creek and Satellite; both have come to look at the area behind Ayres, between the playground and the cafeteria and its slope, Eagle has come twice. She put a bid out for the project on Feb. 23, through Colorado Department of Education's list serve for the construction industry. As of Monday, a bid had been received from Eagle Creek and a bid was pending from Satellite.

The bid from Eagle Creek, which is the one she's leaning toward, includes design specifications required by the state, but not for the fire alarm system. DeLay noted Mike Manuello, district maintenance director, is looking at bids for sewer and septic. Eagle Creek's bid would only require one septic.

Both companies have a sound reputation with districts in Colorado, DeLay said.

Board member Cindy Johnson pointed out the configurations for Eagle Creek versus Satellite's modular units are very different. DeLay said they are, noting both she and Manuello are leaning towards Eagle Creek, because it would be one long unit and even though it's a modular, they would do some customizing and it would look like part of the building.

She plans to make the decision on which bid to accept with input from Manuello and board member Marty Smock, who is in the construction business.

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RE-1 Valley Board of Education takes next step with full-day kindergarten