By Raymond Billy
rbilly@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Jacksonville Independent School District will soon begin negotiating contract terms with JML Archi-tects, which if hired would be tasked with determining the cost of an additional classroom wing at Nichols Intermediate School and upgrading the 200 Building at Jacksonville High School.
The JISD Board of Trustees voted unanimously Tuesday during its January meeting to hire the Jacksonville-based firm. JML beat out Tyler-based Eubanks, Harris, Roberts, Craig Architects Inc. for the contract.
JML was hired, in part, because of its local ties. Trustees agreed the firms were equally qualified and — in the absence of a qualificatory advantage by the Tyler architects — decided choosing JML and helping Jacksonville’s economy would be an added benefit to improving school district facilities.
“If I have two competing firms in whatever I'm seeking, I choose to do business at home,” Trustee Dale Jamerson said.
Though trustees view such a circumstance as unlikely, the school district has the option of reversing course and contracting with the Tyler company if negotiations with JML are unsuccessful.
Hiring an architect to explore the cost of expanding Nichols and renovating the high school building has no cost attached. The district will not pay JML unless it decides to go forward with the projects.
“We're hoping that we can get some estimates and come back as early as the February board meeting with an action item for the board to decide whether we’re going to proceed with the project or not,” said Lindy Finley, JISD assistant superintendent of Finance.
JML plans to subcontract with WRA Architects, a Dallas company, for assistance on the project.
The trustees voted in favor of JML in spite of the fact that Mike Craig of the Tyler firm — who made the case for his company at the meeting along with colleague Ken Harris — played a major role in designing Nichols Intermediate while working for Longview company Thacker Davis Architects. Craig worked closely with JISD officials to meet the district’s specifications, which included space on the north end of the school where additions could be made if needed.
JISD Superintendent Stuart Bird said he didn’t believe the Nichols project was such that Craig’s previous involvement with the school made his company better suited to preside over the expansion project.
Nichols Intermediate School Principal Tammy Jones said at the December board meeting that expansion will be needed to adequately manage the estimated 141-student increase the school will experience by the 2012-2013 academic year.
The upgrades to Jacksonville High School will involve, among other things, revamping the 200 Building’s air conditioning and heating systems.
The board also voted to:
• approve a vendor bid for custodial supplies and related materials;
• approved a resolution stating the board of trustees has reviewed and approved the investment policy and investment strategy as stated therein; and
• approved the consent agenda.
The Jacksonville Independent School District Board of Trustees regularly meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month. The January meeting was pushed back one day because of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
