Board picks IHS alum’s firm for construction

A construction manager at-risk company was selected at the USD 257 board meeting Monday night. This company will construct a new high school and elementary school complex if a bond issue and sales tax pass in the November election.
Universal Construction Company, Inc., Lenexa, was chosen to complete the $50 million project. The company’s president is Steve Smith, an Iola High School graduate.
 In a construction manager at-risk plan the company is held responsible for all aspects of the buildings’ construction, including change orders if things go awry. The design and construction are separate contracts.
Eleven companies applied for the project and three were interviewed, Nabholz Construction, Olathe, Hutton Construction, Wichita, and Universal.
Jack Koehn, superintendent of schools, said Universal recently completed building schools in Joplin to replace those devastated by the 2011 tornado.

A COMMUNITY forum to discuss the new school project is at 7 p.m. Sept. 2 at the Iola High School Lecture Hall.
The superintendent will discuss the district’s needs in terms of facilities, how the proposed bond issue would meet those needs and the costs associated with the district.
A pair of upcoming bus tours also are in the works.
The first tour will depart for Garnett Elementary School at 6 p.m. Sept. 4; the second to Olathe Northwest High School at 8:30 a.m. Sept. 6.
All district staff and the public are invited to the bus tours.
Those interested should call the district office (620) 365-4700, so organizers know how many buses will be needed.

Due to a scheduling conflict, Iola High School’s homecoming has been moved to Sept. 12, the school’s first home football game. They will face the Prairie View Buffalos.
The original Sept. 26 date conflicted with the 50th Bowlus Anniversary Gala.
The game scheduled for Sept. 26 has now been moved to Sept. 25. The Mustangs will play Osawatomie’s Trojans and the middle school home football game with Pittsburg will be moved to the afternoon. Allen Community College will help host the home volleyball match.