Two firms tapped for TPS jobs, if voters OK tax

By SEAN KENNEDY
Press Special Writer

TAHLEQUAH DAILY PRESS February 03, 2009 10:27 am

— Tahlequah Public Schools will have two architects designing construction projects in the district if a proposed bond issue/city sales tax is passed by voters.
The Tahlequah I-35 Board of Education voted to hire two firms for the projects – Crafton, Tull and Sparks, based in Tulsa, and Renaissance Architects, based in Oklahoma City.
Crafton, Tull and Sparks was picked to design the district’s proposed new elementary school, and Renaissance was tapped for cafeterias at Greenwood Elementary and Tahlequah High School.
“The recommendation for the split between the two companies is caused by a slight difference in the designs of the projects,” said Superintendent Shannon Goodsell. “Crafton, Tull and Sparks is a larger firm and will have a lot of in-house folks to work on the project. If we decide to build this school in the middle of a cow pasture, it will require lots of outside civil engineering that this firm will be able to do in-house, without hiring outside help.
Renaissance has expertise in the area of school cafeteria design, Goodsell said.
“They recently built two cafeterias in the area,” he added.
“I also believe they have a vested interest in Tahlequah Public Schools.”
Following an executive session, the board approved a new contract for Goodsell extending to 2011 and increasing his salary $3,000, to a total of $111,000 per year plus benefits.
Since the district has a high number of students on the free and reduced-price lunch program, it has qualified for reduced rates for Internet service.
The board authorized Goodsell to sign contracts concerning e-rate funding since the window of opportunity on those rates is so short.