BUSD authorizes bids for BHS/SMS fence

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Bonsall Unified School District board approved the advertisement for bid to construct a fence around the campus shared by Bonsall High School and Sullivan Middle School.

The board voted 5-0 Aug. 17 to authorize the advertising for bidders for the construction of the school security fencing project.

“A very exciting thing,” said BUSD superintendent Joseph Clevenger.

Currently, the middle school and high school can be accessed from the south, west, and east portions of the school grounds. The fencing will filter visitors to a single point where school staff can monitor and verify visitor entry.

The fence will be seven feet high and will be ornamental steel and chain link fencing. The design and eventual construction will also include a double pedestrian gate at the main campus entry which will include a camera and buzzer system, a motorized vehicular gate at the main entrance, an access system for pedestrian gates, and electrical engineering to ensure operation.

“Any time we can improve safety for our students and staff we love it,” Clevenger said.

On June 15, the board voted 5-0 to award a design contract to AlphaStudio Design Group, which is based in Carlsbad, for architectural services related to the fencing around the campus. The design contract has a Dec. 31, 2022, expiration date and AlphaStudio Design Group will be paid $16,750.

Any construction involving a public school in California must be approved by the Division of the State Architect, so the AlphaStudio tasks also include processing the project through DSA for review and approval.

A visual survey will document existing observable conditions and determine the extent of work required. AlphaStudio will also assist the school district during the bid phase of the project including pre-bid meetings and responses to requests for information. The design phase will also determine whether modification of the existing irrigation system is warranted.

The board approval to advertise the project for bid will allow BUSD staff to solicit bids for the construction work after AlphaStudio Design Group completes the plans and specifications. “Everything has now been approved. We’re taking it out for bid,” Clevenger said.

After the bids have been received and reviewed, the BUSD board will consider the award of a construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder. The work is expected to occur during the 2022-23 school year and has an estimated cost of $200,000.