News Photo by Crystal Nelson Wolgast Corp. Project Manager Luke Gerhart addresses the Alpena Public Schools Board of Education during a special board meeting on Wednesday.

ALPENA — The Alpena Public Schools Board of Education during a special board meeting on Wednesday agreed to pay MacArthur Construction $442,200 to complete site work at Ella White Elementary School this summer.

“This would include all the excavation backfill, compaction of all the soils for the building addition for the new parking lots, sidewalks, playground areas, and all of that type of work,” Wolgast Corp. Project Manager Luke Gerhart said.

The site work is part of the district’s planned renovations for the elementary school this summer, which include a new roof, a secure entryway and office area, and new boilers and associated plumbing upgrades.

The project is funded by a $33.9 million bond proposal passed by voters in March of 2020.

Superintendent Dave Rabbideau on Wednesday said although district officials had bid the site work out before, they discovered “some bidding irregularities” and had to bid the work out for a second time. He said a special board meeting was necessary to stay on the project’s timeline.

“As we all know Ella White’s timeline for construction this summer is aggressive and we want to make sure that we don’t have any hiccups in that process,” he said.

Gerhart said the site work is the last piece of work to be awarded for the district’s planned projects this summer.

Additionally, Besser and Wilson elementary schools will have their roofs replaced. Wilson Elementary will also have a secure entryway build and its parking lot resurfaced. Lincoln’s entryway will be renovated so it’s secure.

Construction will take place over summer break, when students are out of school. June 4 is the last day of school for Alpena Public Schools.