The Liberty County School System Board ranked bids from four firms for renovations planned for Bradwell institute.
The rankings were approved during Tuesday’s work session. LCSS Maintenance and Operation Director Jason Rogers said CPPI Contractors, Piedmont Construction, JCI Contractors and TQ Constructors submitted bids. Their representatives met with the selection committee for interviews.
Rogers said the committee ranked CPPI on top because it has done repeat business with every client they’ve worked with. He added the firm also has extensive experience working on occupied campuses and uses technology to track employees during the work.
“They actually have a chip in each one of their worker’s hard hats so that this job superintendent can pull up, at any time on his iPad and know exactly where all his workers are,” Rogers said noting it was a safety measure.
He said CPPI also uses infrared technology to check areas to find or determine problems up front. He said it also has impeccable references and a diverse workforce.
Rogers said the rankings allow him to negotiate prices and services, which will be brought back to the board.
Board member Dr. Yvette Keel asked if it was customary to hire a company without knowing construction costs. Rogers explained that the district was using a management risk process instead of a sealed bids. He said the first step of the process is to rank the companies by experience and qualifications. The next step is to negotiate. If the board doesn’t approve the price and services they move to the next ranked company.
Karissa Young, CEO of the Liberty College and Career Academy reported on LCCA accomplishments, new pathways and areas that need improvement.
She said for the 2017-18 school year LCCA had 831 students. Last school year there were 232 dual-enrolled students who earned 2,126 college credits and 121 technical college certificates. That meant $259,000 in tuition and fees were saved.
The school is expanding pathway opportunities by partnering with Coastal Solar and developing a solar energy pathway to enhance the engineering curriculum.
A planned pathway will partner with a local bank to allow students to run a bank branch at or near LCCA. The school is also reaching out to manufacturers to develop an industrial and mechatronics program.
Barbering, an expanded cosmetology program, bringing back HVAC, and working with the Georgia Film Academy to develop and audio/video pathway are also being considered.
Educators also said that after considering staff, student and stakeholders opinions, Bradwell is looking to go to go back to block scheduling identical to Liberty County High School’s. This will place both schools in sync and cut on issues with the scheduling of classes, including those taught at LCCA.
The board also approved the 2018-19 school year calendar. There will be 178 student school days and 12 teacher workdays/student holidays.
Teachers will report to work on July 31 and students’ first day is set for Aug. 6. The last day of classes will be May 24, 2019, for the students.
Transition coordinator Mary Edwards reported on special education students. In 2016, the 64 who graduated included 20 who went on to college or university, 27 where employed fulltime, seven were in post-secondary or two year colleges, five were employed part-time, two returned to high school and she was unable to contact seven.