BY DEBRA JACKSON

Over the past several weeks I, along with other members of our administrative and construction team, have had the pleasure of visiting all of our elementary schools and the Fox Lane High School to discuss the status of the construction projects and the $8.9 million proposed construction completion bond. If you were previously unable to attend, we have scheduled an upcoming session for Thursday, Nov 10, at noon in the Fox Lane Middle School Little Theatre.

It was exciting to see that so many members of our community care enough to come out in the evening to learn more about this important proposition. Thank you for attending, listening, and for posing thoughtful questions. We hope that those who attended have shared and continued the dialogue with their neighbors.

Many of you may remember from 2002 that demographics as well as aging facilities drove the overall need for capital improvements at each of the school buildings within the district. Projected middle school enrollment has increased 25 percent over the last five years. That bulge is pushing through the high school, where enrollment has increased 30 percent during this time period and is projected to increase another 11 percent. The students are already in the system, and the physical plant, especially at the high school, must expand to accommodate them. The planned high school improvements comprise 19 new classrooms, 16 new and renovated science labs, designated art and music space, new windows, improved heating and ventilation, expanded eating areas, new tennis courts and practice field, improved parking and traffic flow.

After bidding during competitive bidding cycles in 2004, we experienced extraordinary market price increases. Worldwide demand for metals like steel increased at the unpredictable rate of 13 percent. Simple math tells us structural elements and electrical supplies and heating and ventilation materials had increased at a rate well above our planned 5 percent contingency rate. Redesigning with further additional bidding did not compensate for the increases we experienced. Several unforeseen field conditions are another critical factor in asking you to approve additional funding to complete the construction projects. In addition, the age of the buildings required major modifications to heating and ventilation systems and the infrastructure.

Knowing that there were significant increases in costs to many of our construction projects, the board configured the FLHS bid documents into two parts to allow the high school project to begin. The new addition and related site work was bid, awarded, and the work is under way to address the critical enrollment needs. The renovations and related work has been bid but not yet awarded. As part of the board's effort to reduce the cost impact yet keep on schedule, the contractors for the high school project have agreed to hold their prices until January 2006. This is why the board has established the November date for a vote on the completion bond issue of $8.9 million. With the infusion of extra funds, we can go forward and complete the original scope of work as approved by the voters.

I urge you to continue to learn more about this issue. I am always pleased to answer any questions and want you to know that any district resident can contact me by phone 241-6011 or by e-mail djackson@bedford.kl2.ny.us.