CHERRY TWP — The Moniteau School Board members awarded 11 contracts Monday, bringing them closer to the start of construction on renovations and additions to the district's junior-senior high school.

More than $13.5 million was awarded to bidders.

The general contractor named for the project was Uhl Construction. Other contractors chosen include Guys Mechanical for HVAC, Shipley Plumbing for plumbing construction, Right Electric for electrical construction, Gateway Kitchens for food service equipment and Polyvision for display boards and manufactured casework, such as built-in cabinets and shelving.

Separate bids for the construction of a new sewage treatment plant were also awarded, totaling about $866,000.

The collective motion was approved 5 to 3, with board president Doug Kimmey and members Bill Smith and Deborah Bowser voting no. Board member Craig McMillen was absent.

A list of project alternates, which adds nearly $300,000 to the renovation and addition project, were also approved. Chosen from a list of possible project add-ons, the approved items include replacing existing chalk and bulletin boards throughout the school, installing motorized backboards in the gymnasium and replacing the roof over the gymnasium.

Bowser, Kimmey and Smith voted against the motion.

With totals for the project exceeding the original estimate of $12.4 million, the board also approved a motion allowing business manager John D'Amore to seek up to an additional $2.5 million in the district's bond issue to finance the project before the start of construction.

The motion was approved 6 to 2, with Kimmey and Smith voting no.

Before the votes, Smith recommended the board reexamine the building project to eliminate elements that would bring the total cost closer to the original estimate.

"I think there's a big difference between what we need and what we want," said Smith, suggesting plans for a board room and visiting team locker room be eliminated.

Board member Bill Fleming noted, however, that in the time it would take to re-evaluate the project and collect new bids, rising costs could eliminate any possible savings.

D'Amore noted that the costs for electrical and plumbing work are the main reasons for the bids exceeding the estimates.

To accommodate these extra costs, D'Amore explained that the board may consider raising taxes by 1 mill per year over a three-year period, instead of raising taxes by several mills in one year.

A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

Diane Hunter, who voted in favor of the increased borrowing, said the improvements to the school were worth the possible increase in taxes.

"We are going to show something for that 1 mill increase," she said.

Before construction can begin, the state Department of Education must approve the final bid specifications and project accounting, items which district superintendent Trudy Peterman said could be concluded now that contracts have been awarded.

Though the board had hoped to begin construction in late May or early June, Peterman is pleased with the progress, and anticipates construction to begin in late July.

"I think the board has taken its time to look at all the options," she said.