AKRON — The Tippecanoe Valley building project moved one step further during the Monday, March 14, board meeting.

Skillman Corporation, a project administration and construction management service located in Merrillville and Indianapolis, came before the board with an update to the bid process for the additions and renovations to Akron Elementary. A total of 52 bids were received for 12 bid categories, averaging roughly three to four bids per category.

“In general, the bids were close in every bid category, representing a good understanding of the drawings and specifications,” stated Chris Muvceski, project manager in his proposal to the board. “We are satisfied with the bid results which provided total project bids below our final estimate.”

The bids selected were reportedly the lowest bids in their respective category. After conducting a pre-award conference and reviewing the contractor’s qualifications, Skillman recommended awarding contracts and issuing a notice to proceed to the following contractors based on the low base bid.

The following bidders were selected as the winning bids in their categories by the company:

• General trades (included in combo bid one and four): Kinder & Sons, no amount listed
• Roofing and sheet metal: Fort Wayne Roofing, $583,000
• Masonry: Hamilton Hunter $1,543,752
• Studs and drywall: Kinder & Sons, $5,449,700
• Glazing: J.W. Werntz, $319,700
• Painting/wall covering: Anthony Anderson Co., $168,800
• Flooring: Interior Finishes, $469,900
• Kitchen equipment: C & T Design, $336,900
• Fire protection: Shambaugh & Son, $224,350
• Plumbing (included in combo bid 10 and 11): A. Hattersly & Sons, no amount listed
• Mechanical: A. Hattersly & Sons, $2,889,000
• Electrical: D & D Electric, $1,857,660

Bids totaled $13,842,762. According to representatives from Skillman Corp., the company has worked with the contractors on the list in the past and has been very pleased with the work provided thus far.

In other news, two parents came before the school board to express concerns over the treatment of their sons by a staff member at the high school, identified as Dr. Michael Bendicsen, Tippecanoe Valley High School principal. Dena Schipper noted she believed she and her son had been treated unfairly by Bendicsen and her requests to remedy the situation have fallen on deaf ears. Schipper noted though she allegedly spoke with Superintendent Brett Boggs, she did not feel her complaints were taken seriously enough. According to Schipper, she has been hung up on and ignored when approaching Bendicsen in the past.

Schipper asked the board what she and her peer should do to remedy the situation at this point and requested a meeting with Bendicsen, Boggs, the school board and all teachers involved in her complaint. The board noted they would take her request under advisement, and should they decide to meet with Schipper, would contact her to do so.

Other business:

• The board approved the hiring of the following: Robert Reid, bus driver; Timothy Strahla, technology associate TVMS; Taylor Brubaker, instructional assistant Akron Elementary; Dedra Ruff, instructional assistant TVMS; Amie Rogers, instructional assistant TVMS; Anna Rich, nurse TVMS; Teresa Weaver, treasurer TVMS; Brenda Alderfer, instructional assistant, TVHS; Kyle Wood, agriculture teacher TVHS.
• Resignations were accepted for Laurie Swope, custodian at Mentone Elementary; Michael Clouser, custodian TVHS.
• A termination for Dennis Kamp, bus driver, was accepted.
• An addition to the smoke-free and tobacco-free school board policy was made to include E-Cigarettes and electronic smoking devices.