OMAK SCHOOL DISTRICT
NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: Aug. 15, 2006

OMAK SCHOOL DISTRICT EXTENDS
CONSTRUCTION BID OPENING DEADLINE

Omak School District has extended the bid opening for its high school modernization project from Aug. 17 to Aug. 30. Superintendent Robert Risinger said the extension is in response to at least one potential bidder’s request.

“The construction climate is very busy right now, and we’re doing everything we can to make this project attractive to contractors,” Risinger said. General bids will be opened at 6 p.m. and alternates at 7 p.m.

In March 2005, district voters approved a $9.5 million building bond, which will generate several million more in state matching funds. The exact amount of the state match will depend on final construction costs. On the drawing board is a new, 25,000 square foot vocational arts building, new gymnasium floor and upgrade of older classrooms.

But in recent months, other school districts in the state have had difficulty drawing bidders for construction projects and those bids that did come in were well over budget. The Okanogan School District, at its Aug. 10 bid opening, received only one bid, which was considerably over budget, for its planned construction and remodeling projects.

              The two districts are using different architectural firms, but the architects have been trying to find ways to work together in hopes of drawing more interest from contractors for both projects, said Risinger.

              If bids come in 10 percent or more over estimates, the district can reject all bids and take time to modify the project without losing its place in the state’s funding stream for this year.