School Construction "Right on Schedule"
    by Myrtleann Anderson, Staff Writer~~ Monahans News, September 5, 2006

During the August 18th meeting of the MWP-ISD School Board, architect Monty Hunter gave the board an update on the construction phase of the district's bond issue.

"Everything is right on schedule, and the contractors are doing good work," Hunter told the board.  "Plans for construction at Sudderth are out, and contractors are picking up copies.  We've had a lot of interest from sub-contractors, which is good.  We printed out 45 copies of the plans, and 36 contractors picked up a copy.

 "We're finishing up our work at Cullender, and all we have left to do is pave the parking lot."  The sports complex gym is open, work on the floor is complete, and the pool has been refilled.  The carpet should be installed next week, and everything should be finished by the end of the month."

Hunter said asbestos abatement was in progress and would continue through the first week in September.  "Asbestos bids were way under our estimate of $544,000," Hunter said.  "We received a bid from a company of $25,000.

"However," he added, "we may need those extra funds for the Sudderth gym construction."

The board is considering replacing the grass at the football field with synthetic turf.

Hunter introduced Jeff Brezee, a consultant on synthetic turf, to give the board information concerning cost, maintenance, installation and varieties available.

"I started working with synthetic turf in Abilene six years ago," he said, "and even today it is largely unregulated.  The more I am in this business the more I realize how many environmental things are working against you and how tricky it can be to work with the turf.

"There is a new product, monofilament, on the market that lasts longer than the early synthetic turfs, and it will last from 12 to 15 years compared to eight for the original turf LSR.  We have also developed some things with the drainage that make these fields even better.  There are over 100 schools in Texas that have this turf because it is very advantageous.

"By the time you run the numbers," he said, "turf is about 50 cent per cheaper than a grass field.  Both bands and soccer teams can use synthetic turf without worrying it will be ruined. Safety studies have shown it is much safer than a grass field and has the same effect as a gym matt for players' ankles and knees.  Head-to-ground concussions are almost non-existent on turf fields."

"Most coaches prefers to hold playoff games on turf fields," he added, " which could increase the school's chances of hosting play-off games during the football season."

There are basically three kinds of turf, according to Brezee, LSR the original turf, XP the second on the market and the latest turf, monofilament.

"Depending on the type of field chosen," Brezee explained, "the price can range from $550,000, for the cheaper brands of turf, and $600,000 to $780,000 for the high-end Cadillac monofilament.

"It takes three to four months to complete a field, and the cost of the turf will fluctuate with the prize of oil, since turf is made from oil products."

He suggested the board consider putting it in right after football season, as installing the turf during the winter would reduce the cost by 5 to 10 percent.

"I heard Pecos had some problem with their turf when it was installed," Bo Rose told Brezee, "and now it's fenced off to keep people from using it."

"We did have some problem at first," Brezee replied. "The preparation of the field before the installation of the turf was not supervised as well as it should have been, so the base was not laid correctly.  We had to go back and redo the work base before laying the turf.

"I believe there was some sort of damage done to the field, so the school fenced it off to guard against further damage."

The board took no action on the consultation..

A bid of $67,891 was approved for the purchase of a new bus to replace the 1980 currently used for the Special Education students.  According to Richardson, the new bus is a budgeted item, and it has everything the school needs for special ed bus.

"MWP-ISD received a "Superior" rating from the financial integrity rating system.  "It can't get any better than that," Richardson said.

A public hearing will be held at the next board meeting concerning the rating.

The board approved the following district appraiser for professional and development appraisals:  Keith Richardson, Glenna Applewhite, Kellye Riley, Roy Rutledge, Daryl Skinner, John Horak, Bonnie Richardson, Colleen Smith, Jeff Jones, Carla Tucker and Chad Smith.

A bid of $500 by Nicole Gearard for property located at 705 N. Main and a bid of $250 by Cynthia Smith for 1009 S. Betty were not approved.  A bid of $200 by Roy Sanchez and Darla Leeson for 200 E. "I"; a bid of $300  by Wilbert Moody for 403 W. Forth Street and two bids of $200 by Michael Inman for properties located at Sixth and Dumas in Wickett and 405 Dumas were approved by the board.

In other business, the board approved a bid for diary products with Gandy's, a bid of $115,114 for property / casualty insurance with TASB, adopted the district's mission statement and goals, student handbooks and established an appraisal calendar for the 2006-2007 school year.

Acknowledgement  was given to the Monahans High School Band for receiving third place at state competition.

The school district received a Workers Compensation award for employee safety.  Richardson said the district was given the highest possible award, "platinum performer," which will save the school system a lot of money.

The board took no action on a request for endorsement by two candidates for the TASB Board of Directors.

The board entered into closed session at 9:07 pm for the purpose of discussing employment of personnel.  After reconvening, the board held a budget workshop.

keyed by Alvin Porras, Senior '06