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minutes meeting date 2026-03-10 · fetched 2026-09-17 · 14676 characters · official file · plain text
Ririe Joint School District 252 Tuesday March 10, 2026 2:00pm Special School Board Meeting Minutes 2:00 pm – The Ririe Joint School District #252 Board of Trustees met on Tuesday March 10, 2026 at 2:00 pm in the School Board Room for a Special School Board Meeting. 2:01 pm – Board Chair Hansen welcomed all those in attendance and asked everyone to please rise and repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. All did so. 2:01 – Board Chair Hansen asked that roll call be taken. Roll call was taken and those in attendance were as follows: Board Chair Mike Hansen, Trustee Kevin Landon, Superintendent Jeff Gee, Business Manager Trapper McCallister, and Board Clerk Kristi Hamilton. Assistant Treasurer Darby Taylor was present via phone for the beginning of the meeting. Trustee Brigham Cook was not present at this time. Vice Chair Dallin Howell was not present for the meeting today. 2:02 pm - Board Chair Hansen entertained a motion to set and adopt the special agenda. Kevin made a motion to set and adopt the special agenda as posted. Darby seconded; passed unanimously. 2:03 pm – Item 5/New Business a. Discussion/Action Item – AG Building Bids. Representatives from Bateman Hall gave the Board a handout and asked Superintendent Gee to bring the information up on the overhead. They thanked the Board for the opportunity to sit down with the Board and go over where the numbers came in at for the new CTE/AG Building. They informed that they have already reviewed most of this with Trapper and Kevin. They informed that they have checked and confirmed all sub-contractors to make sure they are licensed, etc… They informed that there were some things they found were doubled up as far as the scope of work. They explained. They informed that they are ready and excited to get things started. Kevin commented that he is concerned about one of the bids. Bateman Hall informed they will go over that information shortly. They commented that sometimes when going through this process they find mistakes and the sub-contractors won’t honor their bids, but none of that has happened with this. 2:05 pm – Darby arrived at the meeting. Bateman Hall informed that they want to go over each number to be transparent and an open book with the Board. They informed that the numbers highlighted in green are either under contract or have been confirmed. He explained further. They informed that they have tightened everything up as best they could. They informed that the metal building has been secured and the design has already been worked through and it should be here in April. They informed of the vault which is part way designed. They commented it is uncommon to have it on a fire line. They commented that this is something from the City of Ririe that they don’t typically see anywhere else. They explained further. 2:07 pm – Brigham arrived at the meeting. Bateman Hall continued to explain the remainder of the spreadsheet, commenting on the windows, doors, hardware, roofing, millwork, rough carpentry, masonry, overhead doors, framing, gypsum, acoustical ceilings, paving, flooring ceramic tile, specialties, fire suppression, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, chain link fence and gates. They explained each in detail. They informed that fire suppression wasn’t initially in the bid, but Bonneville County required it be added. Discussion occurred. Bateman Hall informed that they also added some contingency funds for unexpected things that might come up. They informed that whatever funds are not used will 100 % go back to the district. They informed that originally they had a larger amount in the weather protection code, but lowered that due to the weather this year. They talked about landscaping repairs, and the bulldog signage. They commented if the district doesn’t want that or any other items, they can drop them. They explained. Discussion occurred. Bateman Hall then talked about carpentry, the construction fence, general labor and cleanup, SWPPP maintenance, final cleaning, caulking and punch list, construction plans, special inspections, and PEMP extras. They then commented on the final costs and explained the overall budget. They informed that as per this spreadsheet the overall costs total $3,388,955.00. They reminded that this total includes the contingency fund also. They commented that they understand that this number pushes the district over the budget that they were planning on. They commented that there are items the district can look at to lower the overall total amount. They read over the pages and explained in detail. They informed that there is a possibility of lowering the overall cost by $180,390.24. Discussion occurred. Trapper informed that he and Superintendent Gee have gone over everything in detail to figure out how to make things work. He explained that $1,000,000 will come from the school modernization funds that were received last year, which can only be used on capital projects. He informed that the district received approximately $3,000,000 that the district put into a savings account that has been earning interest. He informed after this project, the district will still have approximately $738,000 left, which will continue to grow and earn interest for other capital projects. Trapper informed of some capital projects that have already been taken care of. Discussion occurred. Brigham commented that the district originally budgeted $2,300,000 for the CTE/AG Building. He asked how much was added from then. Trapper explained that an upstairs was added, wainscot brick on the outside, finishing 3 sides of the building, 6 classrooms, etc…. Trapper informed that the initial budget was $2,300,000, however, as they continued to discuss the building they knew that the cost would go up. He explained. Bateman Hall commented that the number discussed after everything added was $2,900,000. Discussion occurred. Kevin commented that we want to make sure we do the building right. Superintendent Gee agreed, and commented that he worries if we start cutting too much out we will regret it. He commented that there are probably some things we can take off the list that we really don’t need, but we need to be careful and mindful of what we cut. Discussion occurred regarding the windows, ceiling tiles, etc… Kevin asked some questions about the windows. Jeff commented that he thinks we should keep the HVAC and what is in the bid from Climatech, which makes all of our buildings on the same system. He commented if he had to choose, he would eliminate Tectum and keep Climatech. He explained further. Discussion occurred on display cases, aluminum windows, epoxy paint on the floors, and wainscot up to 4ft. Brigham commented that he would eliminate all the tile and have polished cement like is in the other buildings. The Board continued to discuss items that could be removed from the list. Superintendent Gee commented that he would like to leave the canopy over the front entrance and keep the windows. Brigham commented that he thinks we need a minimum of 4 windows, maybe 6. He commented that we could cut them in half and still have enough for what is needed. Discussion occurred Comment was made that the little cuts are pennies compared to the total cost. Discussion occurred. Discussion occurred regarding eliminating the ceiling panels and do a drywall ceiling, which with that and the other discussed cuts, it would bring the total cost down closer to $3,000,000. Discussion occurred. Bateman Hall commented that they can redo the spreadsheet and send the updated sheet to Trapper. They commented that they have an invested interest here also and as things develop they will continue to keep looking at ways to cut more costs. Discussion occurred. Bateman Hall commented that with a project like this there is usually a person who can represent the district for any unforeseen or added expenses without having to call a full Board meeting for every item that comes up unexpectedly or at the last minute that needs to be dealt with quickly. Discussion occurred. Bateman Hall commented that they need to know if there is anything else the district wants to make sure happens that isn’t on or list or hasn’t been discussed. They commented that they would like to get contracts out, and start moving dirt. Superintendent Gee reminded everyone that the facility funds money is only there to do capital projects. He commented that we cannot replace a toilet, pay a teacher’s salary, or anything other than capital projects. He commented that the only thing we can do with those funds is build. Brigham commented that he is a little leery using it because we have another building coming up in the future. Kevin commented that we are invested in the CTE/AG Building now and it needs to be finished and done correctly. Board Chair Hansen asked some questions about Bonds. Superintendent Gee informed that we can Bond to build but not to finish. He commented again that the money has been set aside to build capital projects. Kevin commented that he is good with using the funds available and recommends we move forward with the CTE/AG Building. Brigham commented that he has concerns with the big fans, and thinks they can be added later. Kevin commented that will never happen. Superintendent Gee explained how the HVAC and Climatech system works. He commented that we added this system back into every building for a reason. Brigham commented that he understands that, but wants to feel better about it. Discussion occurred. Board Chair Hansen asked if Bateman Hall has a better picture/drawing of the building. Darby asked if brick has to be on all sides. Bateman Hall replied no, but aesthetically it looks better. They commented that they could eliminate it on the 4th side. Discussion occurred. Kevin commented that we want it to look nice. Superintendent Gee commented that he likes what has been discussed and done in this meeting today. He commented that he and Trapper are financially comfortable with where we are at. Bateman Hall commented that they need to know if they are going in the right direction and if the district is comfortable with $3,000,000. Bateman Hall read over the changes. Discussion occurred. Brigham asked about the chain link fence. Superintendent Gee explained that rather than building a tool room, they will have the tool area fenced off. He commented that Rigby did that in their shop and Jake and Jon thought that was a good idea. Superintendent Gee informed that the original grant he wrote and was awarded was for $2,800,000 and he and Trapper are confident they can make adjustments and come up with the remaining funds needed. Board Chair Hansen entertained a motion. Kevin made a motion to approve and direct Bateman Hall to move forward with the CTE/AG Building as presented today, with discussed changes made, for an amount not to exceed $3,000,000. Brigham seconded; passed unanimously. b. Discussion/Action Item – HS Boys Basketball Coach Update. Superintendent Gee informed that he wanted to keep the Board in the loop of where they are at with this. He informed that the Administration is pretty happy with how things worked out this year. He informed that he has had a couple of conversations with Jordan Hamilton and feels like if Jordan is interested in remaining as the HS Boys Head Basketball Coach, they would like to keep him in that position. Brigham commented that he understands, but feels like since he was appointed this year, he would still like to open the position and take applications for the position. Darby agreed. Kevin commented that he is happy with the job Jordan has done for the past 14+ years, but if the process is to open the position up, then that is what it is. Superintendent Gee commented that he feels like Jordan stepped back into the position as a courtesy to the district when things changed two weeks before the season began, and Jordan did a great job and he would like to keep him if he wants the position again. Brigham asked if this could be talked about at the next meeting. He informed that he isn’t prepared to discuss this today. He asked how big of a deal it is if we wait another week or two to discuss this. Kevin commented that he doesn’t know what was discussed before within the Board regarding this, but he agrees with Superintendent Gee. He commented that he is happy with the job Jordan has done and wouldn’t be afraid at all to offer the position to him if he wants it. Discussion occurred. Superintendent Gee commented that the year prior to this was tough for several reasons, and for Jordan to come back and take over two weeks before the season began says a lot. Darby commented that no one is disputing that Jordan did a good job, but rather that the previous Board said they would re-post the position once this year’s season was over. Discussion occurred. Brigham commented that he needs more time to think this over. Board Chair Hansen commented that he thinks it needs to be posted because that is what they said they were going to do. He asked the Board to think this over and discuss it at the next regular meeting. c. Discussion/Action Item – Supplemental Levy Meetings. Superintendent Gee asked the Board how much they want to be involved in the meetings. He commented that Parent-Teacher Conferences are coming up and he and Trapper plan to be at the buildings to talk to patrons about this. He informed that the Supplemental Levy Information Pamphlets will be available to hand out also. He asked all Board Members who would like to be at Parent-Teacher to help with this to please come sometime between 4:30 -7:00pm on March 17th & 18th at both the Elementary and Jr/Sr High Schools. He then asked the Board if any of them were interested in hosting an Information Meeting at their home or somewhere else to let him know. He commented that those meeting should be scheduled closer to the May election. Board Chair Hansen asked how it runs. Superintendent Gee explained. 3:40 pm – Kevin informed that he will not be at the Work Meeting or Regular Meeting on March 19th. 3:40 pm – There being no further discussion in tonight’s meeting, Board Chair Hansen entertained a motion. Brigham made a motion to adjourn. Darby seconded; passed unanimously. Reviewed & Approved: April 16, 2026 Board Chair: Mike Hansen Board Clerk: Kristi Hamilton
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