St. Joseph School board reviews renovation plans at board meeting  

ST.JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV)-- The St. Joseph School Board of Education held another board meeting Monday, where members talked through several key items on the agenda. 

One topic up for discussion was a professional service agreement with DLR Architects. The agreement focuses on classroom renovations planned for Benton High School. 

“We are already in contract with DLR, so that contract was to see if the bond passed last spring to build a new high school in St. Joe. But we know the bond did fail,” said Robert Hedgecorth, assistant superintendent of business and operations.

Hedgecorth said the contract amendment was simply meant to clarify DLR’s charges for remodeling work instead. 

He said construction contracts usually include a standard percentage fee. In the master contract, the fee was 6.15% for new construction, but remodeling work typically requires more effort. 

“When you are remodelding you have to grab old architecture plans. You have to scan those in, and then you actually have to go and field verify them and make sure those items are there and it's a little bit more work,” Hedgecorth said.  

The agenda item was approved after board members engaged in discussion, asked a number of questions, and took time to consider the details before moving forward.  

Superintendent Ashly McGinnis shared an update on the district’s reorganization plan as well, explaining the goal of making facilities more equitable across the district and improving overall efficiency in school buildings. 

The board’s next meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, and will take place at the Troester Media Center, located at 3401 Renick St.