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RC School board hires two new firms for school building projectBy MaryHelen Swanson Moving ahead, as Superintendent Tim Eklund had promised at the end of 2001, the Rush City School Board, last week, moved to hire two firms to readdress the issues of space at the elementary building. The goal is to once again ask district residents to consider an addition or major renovation to the elementary school to address serious space needs. Supt. Eklund told the board members he sent 28 letters to prospective members of a renewed building committee and the first meeting of this group was held this week. Eklund had also researched firms, checking out recommendations and network information and asked two firms to be present last Thursday to speak with the board. John Litchy of Setter/Leach & Lindstrom, in Minneapolis, a fourth generation owner of his architectural business, was hired as the new architect. Robert Jossart, president of RJM Construction out of Plymouth, was hired as general contractor. Both firms presented impressive background information including work on round buildings. Litchy claimed to be ìa good steward of clients money,î and said he would ìliveî at the school as long as it takes to meet all the staff and to get to know the ìculture of the community.î ìIn the end,î he said, ìwe do buildings that donít leak,î which brought about muffled laughter from those listening. Most recently he has done extensive renovation on the round school at White Bear Lake, leaving much of it round, and replacing the gym and cafeteria with more functional space in added building. Litchy proposes to listen carefully to what the people want, and draw up several plans, plans that can easily be adjusted to the publicís demands. When asked how the board could know they could trust him, Litchy reiterated his experience, adding he will make sure the school district is part of the planning, He said there would be no cookie cutter designs and he stressed he would be there to help educate the public. Jossart, originally from Wheaten, MN, became interested in construction at age 14. His company mainly focuses on renovations and he said he would keep a sharp eye on the architect and his plans in the best interest of the school district. He is currently working on a round hospital in Wheaten. It has been determined the best thing there is to take it down. His experience runs from the Target Center to the State Capitol building. He said he is a ìwalking encyclopediaî of costs and will challenge the architectís decisions. Eklund told the board he chose these two firms because references say they keep a project on schedule, within budget and produce a quality product. The two firms, however, have never worked together before. Both firms, Eklund said, are aware that the bond issue failed of are aware of the importance in listening to reasons why it failed. Eklund said the firms would be retained only up to a bond referendum. Board member Paul Pasche asked for a cost figure before hiring the two firms. A cap was set at $35,000. When the motion was approved, Eklund said he would negotiate with the two firms and work out costs and get back to the board. In a related issue, St. Croix Valley Education District Director Chris McHugh approached the board with a proposal to use the round portion of the elementary school, if it should become vacant. He stressed the usefulness of having all SCRED offices at one location and apprised the board of the additional services that might be offered if more space was available. He also said the district would probably not want to sell the building but hold on to it if it should need additional space in coming years. The board also ratified the teamsters #320 (custodians) and superintendentís contracts and accepted the teaching seniority list. Officers for 2002 are: chair Sue Turner, v.chair Paul Pasche, clerk John Bosman and treasurer Scott Tryon. ©ECM Post Review |