News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
The Sisters School Board has delayed awarding a contract to repair Sisters High School, which has suffered severe water damage since it opened in 1993.
The board decided on June 4 to seek the advice of attorney Neil Bryant on the bidding process.
There were a total of five bids on the project: Kirby Nagelhout, $460,000; S.M. Anderson, $558,000; G.J. Miller construction Company, $589,641; Keeton-King Construction, Inc. $690,495; A Cut Above Building and Design, $880,000.
Low-bidder Kirby Nagelhout was the major subcontractor on the original high school construction.
According to the weekly "Friday Update" from Schools Superintendent Steve Swisher, "reliable sources said that Kirby Nagelhout has indicated the reason for his low bid is that he really wanted to make this facility right."
The board will hold a special meeting on Thursday, June 16 at 5 p.m. at Sisters High School to review the bids and possibly award the contract.
The decision to hold off on the contract award came after the board adjourned to an executive session to discuss legal issues.
After the executive session, board member Glen Lasken explained the delay:
"Issues related to the construction of this building (Sisters High School) are still being investigated," Lasken said, "and we're getting legal advice concerning potential conflicts of interest with people who were involved in the construction of this building."
The board had hoped to get most of the remodeling work done over the summer while students are away.
Whoever finally wins the contract must replace the siding, soffits and some roof panels at the school.
The original Exterior Finishing and Insulation System (EFIS) is failing in some areas due to water intrusion.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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