The Newberg School Board voted 4-0 at its May 8 meeting to approve a $15.2 million contract to Portland-based P&C Construction for the completion of numerous projects put forth in the $27.1 million bond measure passed in May 2011.

Proposals by various contractors were received April 12 and the district reviewed and scored bids, conducted reference checks and interviewed three firms the following week before recommending P&C’s proposal at the meeting last week.

The construction contract includes projects in four general areas at buildings across the district: updating classrooms, maintaining and repairing facilities, installing energy upgrades and improving school safety.

Included in the classroom updates will be renovations to existing space to provide additional science, technology and general classrooms, as well as building classroom space for alternative and online-learning programs.

Notable projects of this type include expanding seating at the Newberg High School commons, completing the NHS/Portland
Community College welding area and the addition of a science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) classrooms at Mountain View Middle School.

Among the maintenance and repair projects will be the replacement of roofs and boilers, heating/ventilation systems, flooring and electrical systems.

To improve energy efficiency, older lighting, including in NHS’ McGrath Gymnasium, will be replaced and new windows will be installed.
School safety will be improved with the addition of new security features, including a 15-door automated lock-down system and the addition of security cameras at various district sites.

The contract does not include the renovation of the NHS track or the instillation of a new synthetic playing surface, for which construction has already begun after a contract was awarded to Atlas Track and Field.

The purchase of textbooks, new technology and classroom equipment, which was earmarked for $6.4 million by the bond, was not included in the contract, either.

Construction will begin June 19, one day after teachers complete their final day. Most projects are slated to be completed before school reopens in the fall.

The exceptions are the Mountain View STEM classroom, the modification of the Mabel Rush Elementary School kitchen, the expansion of the NHS commons and the construction of new classrooms for the alternative high school, which are estimated to wrap up by August 2013.

Seth Grodon, Newberg Graphic