PORT ANGELES — The Port Angeles School Board received an update on the status of construction of the new Stevens Middle School from FORMA Construction, the contractor it chose in March to oversee the project.
FORMA senior project managers Mike Rogers and Dealy Etter outlined the company’s strategies on Thursday for recruiting local contractors, minority-owned businesses, women-owned businesses and small businesses.
An informational webinar on July 25 attracted more than 40 contractors and suppliers, Rogers said.
FORMA’s next outreach event will be Oct. 24 at the Red Lion Hotel, where it will provide an overview of the project, details about the bidding process and an explanation of general contractor/construction management (GCCM). The school board chose GCCM because it offered a more cost-effective project delivery method than the traditional design-bid-build model.
Integrus Architecture presented its schematic design for Stevens Middle School to the board in June. It can be found at tinyurl.com/3pzmmazh. The final design will be ready in the spring.
FORMA plans for early bidding in March 2025 and main bidding in May. Construction is projected to start in July 2025 or when all of the $52.6 million in capital levy funds have been collected. Most of the work is anticipated to be completed sometime in 2027.
FORMA’s presentation to the board can be found at tinyurl.com/2e4v6p8d.
Meanwhile, intern administrator Deziree Greenstreet reported Thursday that 86 students from Port Angeles High School, Lincoln High School and Seaview Academy earned 52 credits equaling 105 classes during summer school. The program enables sophomores, juniors and seniors to earn credits in classes they did not pass or for which they did not complete coursework.
During public comment, Carrie Biggs asked that the board consider a proposal to donate the Fairview Elementary School property to a nonprofit dog rescue for which she was creating a business plan.
“I’m concerned like the rest of the community about the welfare of dogs in our area,” she said. “It’s heartbreaking to watch our Humane Society have to close its doors to accepting dogs and other agencies are stretched thin. There’s a big void to fill in our community, and we all wish there was more we could do.”
The school, at 166 Lake Farm Road, which closed in June 2007, is an ideal location for a rescue, Biggs said, and would serve and benefit the community in a new way.
Superintendent Marty Brewer reported that he and Nolan Duce, the director of maintenance and facilities, have been speaking to service clubs and citizen groups about the two measures the district has placed on the Nov. 5 general election ballot.
Proposition 1 is an educational programs and operations levy that would replace the existing EP&O levy that is expiring. Proposition 2 is a $140 million bond to replace Franklin Elementary School, renovate Port Angeles High School and make district-wide safety upgrades.
The total combined tax for both would be $2.70 per $1,000 of assessed property value.
The district will mail an informational flier about the bond and levy to residents on Oct. 16. Information also can be found on the district’s website at tinyurl.com/3hs3c5zr.
There are openings for two student representatives on the school board — one each from Port Angeles and Lincoln high schools. Juniors and seniors interested in applying can download an application at tinyurl.com/39xhyzvd. The positions are non-voting, but students earn 0.5 elective credits for each semester they serve.
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Reporter Paula Hunt can be reached by email at paula.hunt@peninsuladailynews.com
