Construction supervising company coming up for another board vote

Teresa Hinds

Friday, Sept. 19, 1997 | 11:07 a.m.

It's contract review time for the much-maligned company handling construction management for the school district and by the looks of it, all systems are go for Parsons-Fleming-Taylor.

Fred Smith, assistant superintendent in charge of facilities for the Clark County School District, told an oversight committee on Wednesday that the administration anticipates an approval when the extension of PFT's contract comes up for a School Board vote.

PFT was only given a six-month extension to its $25 million contract for managing the 1996 building program because of dissatisfaction with the company's performance on the 1994 bond program. Its contract is technically up on Thursday, but Smith said there are provisions in the contract to keep them working until the School Board votes.

When that vote will take place isn't known yet. Plans are in the works to hold a joint School Board/Bond Oversight Committee meeting to discuss PFT's performance for the past six months.

School Board President Susan Brager said she had no idea at this point how she would vote. She's reserving judgment until the joint meeting to see "what has happened, what's changed and what hasn't changed. To me there hasn't been a decision made" on whether or not to retain PFT.

But Smith said on Wednesday the administration's recommendation to the School Board will be to formally approve extending PFT's contract. He added the school district is in negotiations with PFT on a dollar amount and no other companies were being considered to replace PFT.

"I'm not aware of another scenario that is currently under consideration," Smith said.

Parenting group

Working on the theme that it takes an entire village to raise a child, Booker Elementary School will enlist the help of area senior citizens to assist with its first "life experience" training for parents on Tuesday.

Parents are invited to join the Parents and Friends group from 10-11:30 a.m. Tuesday for a program designed to offer parenting tips and help decrease stress in everyday life. Senior citizens from nearby Economic Opportunity Board offices will attend the meeting. Lunch will also be served. The group will meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the School. For more information, call 799-5720.

King custodian

In appreciation for the special services head custodian Chris Korth provides at Ward Elementary, Korth will be honored as "King for a Day" in a ceremony at 11:50 a.m. Wednesday at the school.

Korth will shed his custodial duds and be outfitted in kingly attire, including a crown, an ermine cape and a custom-made T-shirt, and sit on a throne during the ceremony. Teachers will take turns performing Korth's normal duties throughout the day and students and staff will wear "We love Mr. Chris" buttons.

"Chris is a very special person to our students and staff," said Ward counselor Charlene Meyer, who organized the event. "Chris is not taken for granted for the outstanding job he does here at our school. He is admired by the students because of the way he treats them and to all of us he is the epitome of customer service."

Parent university

Student entertainment centered around the word "caring" and a workshop on homework will be featured at the Fitzgerald Elementary School Parent University meeting from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the school.

The Parent University meetings will be held on the last Wednesday of each month. Alternative sites for future meetings are being sought and donations of materials and refreshments are welcome. For more information, call the school at 799-0600.

Instrument donations

An enrollment of more band students than anticipated at West Middle School has left the school with a good news/bad news dilemma.

Band Director Anthony Marentic is thrilled so many children are interested in learning to play an instrument, but there aren't enough to go around and the budget doesn't allow for any more instruments to be ordered.

Marentic is hoping the community will donate instruments -- "We really need alto saxophones, flutes and clarinets, but all others would be appreciated" -- before the school's open house on Thursday, but he said he would gladly accept donations anytime. To donate an instrument call Marentic at 799-3120.

Science at Valley

Valley High School student Jun-Ho Song recently received a Caltech Signature Award in recognition for his outstanding achievements in science and math. Song, who was nominated by Valley faculty, received a certificate of recognition and a reference book.

Valley science teachers John Wood and Cheryl Wagner participated as lead teachers in the Howard Hughes School of Medicine Summer Science Seminar at UNR. Their seminars were attended by science teachers from numerous Nevada high schools and focused on curriculum that can be incorporated into biology and environmental education classes.