Dist. 300 Locks in Technology Building Bids; Architect Fees

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Du Quoin Board of Education met Thursday in special session, locking in bids through January 30, 2010 on its proposed new $1 million vocational technical education building and reaching mutual agreement with the district architect to cap design costs on a proposed new DHS.

The board approved a waiver application from the district to be submitted to the Illinois State Board of Education for a modification of rules regarding driver's education. The district has a special needs student that will be trained in driver's education at the SIU training facility.

The board heard an update of bid information from district architect Paul Lunsford regarding the new Industrial Education facility as part of high school construction project. Lunsford informed the board that all contractors have agreed to keep their bids open until January 30, 2010 as the district continues to await notification from the state regarding funding for a $16-$18 million also school construction program. The board conducted a discussion with Lunsford regarding the current contract between the district and Lunsford's firm for district architectural services. After the discussion and agreement, the board authorized Jerry Smith, school district attorney, to develop a revised contract in cooperation with Mr. Lunsford. The contract would include updated provisions including a not-to-exceed cost clause for architectural and construction management services.