3 bond money contracts approved

The final 2014-15 meeting of Benicia Unified School District trustees opened with an appreciation for long-time Superintendent Janice Adams, who is retiring.

Board President Gary Wing, like all present trustees, spoke of his memories of Adams, saying he has known her since his daughters started at Robert Semple Elementary School, where Adams was principal. “You were always a pleasure to talk to and always had the kids at heart,” Wing said.

Added Trustee Peter Morgan: “From the first day I met her I was impressed with her humility and pure affection for the children.”

Trustee Rosie Switzer thanked Adams for a strong friendship that has lasted a decade. “It seems like we’ve always had each others’ back, and that is something I have really appreciated,” Switzer said.

Added Trustee André Stewart: “I hate to see you leave. I do appreciate what you have done … you showed me how to be a board member and a trustee.”

The board presented Adams with a live rose bush as a “lasting and a good remembrance of us —better than a plaque on the wall,” Wing said.

“It’s been a great ride,” Adams said.

She said she would never forget the day she was asked to be the superintendent.

“I never considered such a thing — I was so happy to be a principal at Robert Semple.”

She said she couldn’t have done the job without the board, “especially in those early days when I had no idea what a superintendent did — but we muddled through.”

Adams complimented trustees on their commitment to the board. “You do it because you care, and because you want what is best for the children of Benicia,” she said.

“I wish you all a great relationship with the new superintendent — I hope that it continues to be a collaborative, positive experience,” she said. “I believe that the community has a lot more confidence in the district when the board and the superintendent work well together.”

In other business, Mitchell Stark, director of bond projects, presented for approval contracts for three items covered by funding from the Measure S bond, which was approved by voters in June 2014.

The first contract, with American Consulting Engineers Inc. for design and engineering services for the fire alarm system replacement at Benicia Middle School, is for $82,000.

The current fire alarm system was installed in 1994. When it goes into an action mode, Stark said, it takes offline the school’s clocks, bells and PA system.

“The high school has a similar system as well,” he said.

Stark said there have been a lot of trouble calls on the system at the middle school in recent years.

He said the contracting firm would provide an estimate for the installation of the new system. “I heard it was as much as $8 to $11 a square foot,” he said. “I did some math on it, and it’s pretty substantial” — somewhere between $600,000 and $800,000, he estimated.

Trustee Switzer motioned to award the contract, Wing seconded. It was unanimously voted in 4-0. Trustee Diane Ferrucci was absent.

Stark next presented a contract for exterior painting of Benicia High School with CAM Painting Inc. for $492,000.

The permanent buildings at the present location of Benicia High were built from the 1960s through 2005. Stark said that most of the buildings have not been painted since they were built, and that painting would provide longevity and protection from the elements.

“Plus we felt that painting this particular high school will provide a sense of spirit to the school. It will invigorate the students, I believe,” he said. The contract was unanimously approved.

Finally, Stark presented a contract with Joseph Murphy Construction Inc. for the re-roofing of Mary Farmar Elementary School for $409,305. He said the largest building at Mary Farmar has the same type of integral gutter system as the middle school, which over the years has developed leaks.

Part of the project is to waterproof the wall between the kitchen and multipurpose room for preventive maintenance, and “The majority of the roofing will be torn off and replaced. It’s pretty old,” Stark said. The contract was approved unanimously.