Montezuma-Cortez School District Re-1 wants to promote local contractors in the construction of a possible new high school.
Re-1 board members discussed the wording for such a resolution during a work session on Thursday and agreed to consider the resolution at its meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 13.
The resolution states that the school district would agree to direct the general contractor responsible for managing the project to organize and host local labor fairs to promote active local participation in the construction of a new Montezuma-Cortez High School.
On Nov. 6, voters will consider approval of a $21.25 million 20-year bond that would match $22.7 million in state BEST grant funds.
The draft resolution states that it is in the best interests of everyone in our community to build a quality building of the highest standards with as many local contractors, craftsmen, and laborers as possible...
In addition, the board has discovered that local labor fairs have been extremely successful in helping local labor, local contractors, and local artisans win up to 90 percent of the contracts in similar school building projects.
A local contractor is going to want to do the best possible job because its in their own backyard, said Re-1 Superintendent Alex Carter.
The current high school was built to be a cheapo high school, and thats what they got, he said.
The proposed $44 million high school is Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) with incredibly high standards. If we dont build this high school, well have to come back in five to 10 years and build a cheapo high school at full price (i.e. without BEST grant assistance), Carter said.
District officials said they would have an owners rep work with the general contractor. The owners rep would be the eyes and ears of the school district.
We will hold the general contractors feet to the fire, said Board Member Pete Montano.
calebs@cortezjournal.com