LCHS construction winding down
La Cañada High School looks like it is being built from the ground up, but the board hopes it will be a finished product by the time the school year rolls around.
The La Cañada Unified School District Governing Board accepted a bid Tuesday from the Chaney Company to install two acoustical panels in the school’s south gym.
In November 2009, the board approved a list of unfunded projects to be completed with leftover 2004 bond funds. The installation of the acoustics was one of the things on that list, and the estimate of the project at that time was not to exceed $80,000. The district stands to save more than $65,000 on its original estimate if the first phase proves successful.
Chaney Company had the lowest of the three bids, which ranged from $14,999 to $20,000.
“The two panels will trap the noise and bounce it off the top of the building so it doesn’t bounce back to the ground floor,” said Mike Leininger, assistant superintendent for facilities and operations.
If this does not solve the problem, they will have to look into installing more panels on the wall.
“Hopefully we will be able to save some money on this project,” Leininger said.
Supt. Jim Stratton said LCHS’ 2010-11 school year will be a sort of “rebirth of the school.” The school will have new administration and after having completed all the construction project will be able to remove portable buildings and construction fences on site.
“The school will look really nice at the beginning of the school year, and we can get rid of that ‘under construction’ look we have had,” Stratton said.
The board unofficially decided to host a ribbon-cutting ceremony after construction is complete at LCHS to showcase the finished product.
Tradition continued
A tradition was continued at Tuesday night’s meeting that has raised about $250,000.
For the past eight years, LCUSD has participated in a program that allows it to sell its delinquent property tax receivables to the California Statewide Delinquent Tax Finance Authority. The district can receive 8.5% of those delinquent funds, which nets it about $35,000 annually.
The board unanimously agreed to continue their participation in the program over the next three years, up until June 30, 2013. The decision is estimated to generate $105,000 over that span.
“This is the third time the board has been asked to approve such a legislation,” said Stephen Hodgson, a financial consultant with the board.
Any extra money will help as school districts across California struggle to stay afloat.
“Over the course of the last eight years, we have received close to $250,000 through this arrangement, and we’d like to continue that,” he said. “It brings in a little extra revenue.”