District rejects Skill Center bids

District rejects Skill Center bids
School board members rejected all bids for the Southeast Area Technical Skill Center after general contractor bids for the $7.7 million construction project came in approximately $1.1 million over estimations.
Superintendent Mick Miller says the district will work with Architects West to scale back the project to reduce costs and put it out for re-bid.

Last spring, the Washington State Legislature allocated $10.3 million to fund the High School Skill Center. These funds will also pay for equipment, furniture and other costs associated with the project.

The Southeast Area Technical Skill Center is expected to open in the Fall of 2014 and will serve regional high school students at its Walla Walla Community College location. It will offer construction trades, welding, renewable resources and health occupation programs.

The Skill Center will be a branch campus of the Kennewick School Districts Tri-Tech Skills Center.