Highland hires Iowa Construction Advocate team to help with renovations

by Ranee Fladung
The Highland Board of Education took a step forward Monday by accepting a proposal from the Iowa Construction Advocate team (ICAT) to help coordinate and oversee renovations to the middle/high school building.
Earlier this year, the proposed project had an estimated cost of $3.5 million. It included adding several new classrooms, a computer lab, new media center, storage and wrestling room as well as defined entrances for each school and the administration offices.
Highland Superintendent Chris Armstrong explained that ICAT is a new service provided by the Iowa Association of School Boards (IASB) to help schools get the most for their money when considering construction projects.
ICAT will assist with the planning process at a fraction of the usual cost. “It’s a great deal for the district,” said Armstrong.
The cost for ICAT is $9,750 with expenses not to exceed $3,500. The service, among other things, will help the district coordinate a volunteer plan. Many local contractors have donated their time and expertise to help cut costs to build the new wrestling facility and ICAT would coordinate these efforts.
Other services provided to the district by ICAT include a review of current facility needs and assistance with the planning process; review the cost estimates as well as plans and specifications; develop a timeline; and bidding and construction services.
Armstrong said they would help with the Òconceptual proposalÓ but not the actual construction.
In other business, the board:

• learned that the unofficial certified enrollment for Highland is 652, an increase of two students from last year;
• approved an early graduation request from Heather Greiner contingent upon completion of all requirements;
• accepted resignations from Dan Dickel as head football and track coach, and Vic and Jill Taylor as high school and middle school custodians;
• heard the first reading of board policies for special health services and the Wellness Policy. Changes were made in documentation inorder to comply with state mandates;
• approved an additional $1 per day pay for bus drivers to help make up for longer routes;
• learned that Riverside Elementary has applied for a playground grant from the Washington County Riverboat Foundation; and
• set the next meeting for Monday, November 10 at 7 p.m. in the high school library. There will be a demostration on the new white boards at 6:30 p.m.