School district takes next step in reconstruction of science labs

The Williston Public School District 1 Board Tuesday agreed to pay Jiran Architects $25,000 to complete construction documents toward reconstructing two older science labs at Williston High School.

There are six labs, but these are in the worst condition and the oldest, according to Superintendent of Schools Warren Larson. He said instructors Cory Fleck and Diana Fisketjon toured other science labs around the state to see what design concepts they could draw from and how that could apply to the remodeled labs. Labs viewed were in Watford City, Dickinson, Bismarck and Minot. Videotapes and pictures documented some of their ideas.

"We want an architect to design this because it's very complex," Larson said.

He credited Jiran and Associates for completing Century High School's science labs in Bismarck, and said they are familiar with our structures here. Cost of the similar project at Century High School was around $300,000, although Larson said he would like to see that be lower.

Larson said the drawing designs could come out as early as March. Bids would be let soon after.

"We could have architects here the week school starts in January, and sit down and talk to the teachers about what they need, and then get cranking," Larson said.

Board member Cathy Howe Schmitz asked if the design portion had to be bid out. Larson said it was well under the cap required for bidding.

"After that, we'll move forward with other science labs, but they're not in the shape that these two are in," Larson said.

In a separate facility improvement matter, the cost of replacing the windows at at the north side of Williston High School also was estimated to be $172,000.

In another facility matter, Larson briefed the board about the closing of Hagan Elementary School due to carbon monoxide emission alarms sounding at the building.

"Hagan School was closed for a day due to a CO2 problem," Larson said. "We determined the problem, and we had it resolved in a matter of hours. We now are putting a piece of back-up equipment in that will alert us if there is a CO2 problem via cell phones.

"We are putting a piece of equipment on the fresh air system that in the event that CO2 is coming in, it will immediately shut down," he continued. "What happened is we were bringing in our exhaust. That's what caused the CO2 to come in. We got a couple things that are in place that will prevent that from happening."

He assured the board there are CO2 detectors in all of the schools.

"If we ever have an issue like that, it will sound," he said. "In the past, we have had CO2 detectors go off in other buildings, but not to the extent of this one. Usually, it's just in the boiler room. This was a little more extensive than that. It was in several rooms of the school. We shut it down. We aired out the building."

He said the day lost must now be made up for students. He felt President's Day break would be the best way to make it up. He said the North Dakota Department of Public Instruction will no longer allow the school to make it up at 15 minute-longer days if it is non-weather-related.