HNS School Board accepts bid for new addition

HARTINGTON — The Hartington-Newcastle School Board Friday accepted a bid to build an addition onto the current school building.

Trent Becker presented RaDec Construction's bid of $8.446 million, the only bid presented at Friday's bid opening.

HNS Supt. A.J. Johnson said several other contractors had expressed interest in the project but chose not to bid for various reasons.

"I can imagine with the price of gas the way it is, they must have assumed RaDec had an advantage," Johnson said.

The bid came in significantly higher than the $7 million originally anticipated when planning for the project began over a year ago.

No one could have expected the price increases and supply chain issues at that time, however, Johnson said.

Those supply chain issues have also had an impact on the scheduled completion date of the project.

Johnson estimates the project will take two years to complete.

"That's not what we wanted, but supply chain issues are making it a lot harder to get some materials. That's just out of everyone's control," he said.

The bid was approved unanimously with the understanding that RaDec and the architect would go over the plans with a fine-tooth comb in order to find some cost savings, Johnson said.

They are already hoping to save approximately $49,000 with a planned change to the roof.

Removal of the concrete pad on the south of the elementary school is expected to begin this month so dirt work can be done.

No firm construction timelines are known at this time, however, Johnson said.

The School Board is expected to discuss the project further at its next regularly scheduled meeting on July 11.