School board rejects bid to install lights at DuPont: ; Members cite past concerns with contractor

Kanawha County school board members denied a St. Albans company acontract to install lights at DuPont Middle School's football fieldat a special session Monday night.

The 5-0 vote came after a lengthy discussion about the schoolsystem's past experience with Environmental Management, the lowbidder for the light installation at $138,347.

Board member Jim Crawford said the company has provided grass-cutting services to the school system in the past and done anunsatisfactory job.

"I thought we wiped them off the map," Crawford said.

Environmental Management could not be reached for comment afterMonday's meeting.

Tim Easterday, director of purchasing for the school system, saidthere had been some problems with the company in the past but ifboard members approved the contract, Facilities Director ChuckWilson would monitor the work.

That did not sit right with all board members.

"Mr. Wilson doesn't have the time to chase around contractors.Just because they are the low bid doesn't mean they're the rightchoice," board member Becky Jordon said.

The lights are being taken down to avoid a potentially dangeroussituation, Superintendent Ron Duerring said.

"This has become a safety issue. They didn't know if they weregoing to fall over or what," Duerring said.

The aging system must be re-engineered and installed, driving upthe cost of the project significantly, Easterday said.

LCN Electrical Contracting of Hurricane was the only other bidderat $156,842.

The Kanawha County Commission will pay half of the cost of theinstallation. The school system will take care of the rest,Easterday said.

Board member Bill Raglin said school administrators need a bettersystem of tracking contractors to ensure that all work is doneproperly the first time. The rest of the board agreed.

"The situation we're in now is like the left hand doesn't talk tothe right hand and the foot doesn't even know it's part of thebody," Raglin said.

Contact writer Amber Marra at amber.marra@dailymail.com or 304-348-4843. Follow her at www.twitter.com/the1abner.