Bids for the piping project at Carroll Jr.-Sr. High School came in considerably higher than were expected.

Projected cost last fall was about $1.4 million. In anticipation, the corporation borrowed $1 million, and the remainder was available in accumulated funds in Capital Projects.

The low bid on the project was about $200,000 more than the corporation had budgeted. And that was just for the base bid.

The board discussed not accepting a bid now and re-advertising later, but dismissed that idea because a delay could mean even higher costs.

"It's a clear case of darned if you do and darned if you don't," said board president Sam Zook before the vote on the bids.

"It's not that we don't have that overage; we just don't want to spend it," he said.

After a lengthy deliberation, the board unanimously accepted the $1,648,100 base bid from A. Hattersley & Sons Inc. The only other bid - from Quality Plumbing & Heating - was $1,790,000.

Superintendent John Sayers said there is money available in Capital Projects to cover the overage, but it was earmarked for future projects. The total piping project is preliminary to installing air conditioning at the school. Money has been accumulating in Capital Projects for air conditioning and other facility improvements.

Dana Wannemacher and Brian Walker, two representatives from Barton-Coe- Vilamaa, architectural and engineering firm, were present for the awarding of the bid. They cited possible reasons for the bids coming in high. Some of these were: Cost increases in materials, contractors less inclined to come to rural areas, mechanical work is harder to project and the estimate of the architects/engineers was low.

At the May 6 board meeting, members voted to accept Alternate 2a of the Hattersley bid, which calls for the corporation to be responsible for the old piping and duct work, salvaging the saleable metal and disposing of the rest. The board voted to hire Dean Williamson to supply the labor and dumpsters for that purpose, with the proceeds to be split 50/50 between Williamson and the corporation.

A savings can also be realized at the end of the project if the contractor does not finish on time - $5,000 a week for every week after Aug. 1.

Sayers said the project has already started and is going at a good pace.

Moving forward on another project, the board selected Envoy Inc., construction manager, to develop initial plans for the science renovation. Sayers said there will be no cost at this time.

Also approved was the purchase of bathroom stall partitions at the elementary school from Great American Supply Company in the amount of $5,836.27. This will be paid from Capital Projects.

Teachers approved for the summer Jump Start program at Carroll Elementary, contingent on enrollment, were Cathy Ayres, Myra Compton, Amy Cottrell, Jenelle Gish, Mike Hyman, Andrea O'Brien, and Diane Routt. Para-professionals will be Tina Fewell, Tina Miller, and Michelle Strawcutter.

Summer school at the juniorsenior high school will be May 27-June 23. The following teachers were approved, if there is sufficient enrollment in their classes: Danna Bonfiglio, high school English; Ryan Duff, Integrated Math II/III; Susan Abbott, Integrated Math I; David Kratz, Pre-Algebra; Don Shively, Math 87; Mike Hyman/Janna Conn, Math 76; Glen Dillman, two classes, first and second semester World History; Driver's Education, Roger Nelson, Mike Miller, Ed Geheb, Jeff Hodson. Physical education also may be offered.

Students hired as summer workers are Krystal Brazel, Kevin Eikenberry, Emily Flora, and Adam Tussinger. Judy McCracken will assist with the technology conversion being done over the summer.

Facility use requests were approved for basketball camp for grades 1-4 and 5-8, and golf camp for grades 6,7 and 8.

The board accepted the resignation of Cindy Reinke as family and consumer sciences teacher. She has taught 11 years at Carroll.

Sayers announced that as a result of Delphi Community Elementary School failing to make Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) for two years, parents have the option of transferring their children to a neighboring school, with the extra tuition for non-residents waived. He recommended honoring requests for transfers to Carroll Elementary.

The board will adopt student handbooks at its next regular meeting, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. at the Administration Building.