Wayland school bond pool bids to be opened in December

Wayland Union Schools Supt. Tim Reeves told the Board of Education Monday evening that bids for the new pool project will be opened and reviewed in December.

He added that tentatives plans call for the school board to make its decisions on awarding bids in the regular meeting Monday, Jan. 13.

The moves are among the last the board will make in the wake of the passage of a $49.7 million bond to fund the new swim pool and a variety of other school improvements. The new pool will replace the current structure that is almost 50 years old and plagued by a number of problems.

Reeves said school officials, architects Tower-Pinkster and bidders will gather between Dec. 13 and 19 to do the preliminary work on making decisions.

Meanwhile, the superintendent reported that early work has been completed on the new central office at the former U of M Metro facility on East Superior Street and Finance Director Leslie Wagner said prospects are excellent for keeping this costs under the targeted limit of $29,000.

In other business at its work session Monday evening, the board:

  • Decided to table discussion on the continuing issue of branding and logos for Willdcats. Board President Theresa Dobry explained that she didn’t want to made any decision or have extensive discussion with two board members, Dan Casini and Jeff Koon, absent. Board Treasurer Pete Zondervan insisted, “We’re not kicking this can down the road!”
  • Listed to a presentation by Director of Instruction Theresa Fulk about recent student test scores. The highlight was that she acknowledged test scores showed a decline during the coronavirus, particularly in science and social studies, but said the scores are slowly inching their way back up since. But they haven’t reached pre-Covid levels yet.
  • Agreed not to stand in the way of a liquor license request by Don Pacho restaurant near Pine Street Elementary. The former tenant at that location was granted one, and Board Member Becky Hohnke noted two other establishments on the same street sell spirits.
  • Was reminded by Board Member Norm Taylor that Wayland will be host Tuesday, Oct. 8, for the district festival of the Michigan High School Band and Orchestra Association.

• Heard a suggestion from Zondervan for Wayland to start a middle school soccer program, now that the new soccer field is ready. There will be a ribbon cutting for the field at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, when the Wildcats will take on South Christian.

1 Comment

  1. John Wilkens

    “Board Treasurer Pete Zondervan insisted, “We’re not kicking this can down the road!”
    No worries Pete, Reeves and Co will let this issue cool down and run it through at a later date, these people are good. If it wasn’t for Town Broadcast and a few parents leaking this information, this new logo would be a done deal. Reeves had already reached out to another district and the branding company was ready to go for thousands of $$. I wish Reeves and Co would spend money like it was coming out of their own pockets. PSA: TB and Parents, keep an eye on these people and the issues. You are providing a great service! Cheers!!

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