Initial BHS Construction Bids Awarded

Bartlesville High School will soon be bustling with construction activity as the initial phase of work is set to get underway within the next few weeks. The construction project is part of the $36.72 million bond which was passed in September of 2013.

Over the past few months, the initial phase of bids went out for BHS construction. Bids were selected and approved by the Bartlesville Public School District Board of Education at a February 17 meeting. The bids approved include demolition, concrete, steel, earthwork, storm drainage and the initial phase of electrical and mechanical systems. The initial phase of bids totaled approximately $4.85 million, roughly $500,000 under budget.

“With a project of this scale, it is extremely important that we stay on budget. Obviously, coming in well under budget on the initial phase of bids is outstanding news,” said BPSD Superintendent Dr. Gary W. Quinn.

Upon completion of construction, Bartlesville High School will become a 9-12 high school. In order to provide ample space for the addition of two grades, BHS will have a science wing constructed on the north side of the building adding four classrooms for sophomores.

Classrooms for sophomores will also be added to the southeastern portion of BHS, just south of the Custer Stadium grandstand.

Ninth graders will predominately housed in a freshman center. The freshman center will be constructed on the southeast corner of the existing BHS structure and will not be a standalone structure. The freshman center will allow students to slowly acclimate to the high school setting while being housed in a specific portion of the building for most of the day.

Other projects will take place as well including the construction of a new cafeteria and commons area to accommodate the increased number of students. Work will also be done to create drop-off and pick-up areas that will better accommodate the increased student population.

Over the next year and a half, there will be much construction activity at BHS with the project slated to be completed in August 2015. The BPSD will work with construction crews to ensure the projects run smoothly and have minimal disruption on daily activities at BHS.

Safety and security upgrades are also taking place throughout the district. A bid was recently approved for the installation of approximately 260 additional security cameras to be installed throughout the district. The installation is currently underway. Work is ongoing to improve intercom systems in schools to ensure messages can be delivered quickly throughout district buildings.

Quinn said, “It is an exciting time for us. We have a lot of projects ongoing and many set to begin here in the district. I look forward to the completion of the projects because at that time our students and staff can benefit. The projects would not be possible without the support of our community and for that I thank the community of Bartlesville.”