The Houston R-1 School District board of education unanimously selected a general contractor Tuesday night for the first phase of improvements at the Piney River Technical Center that could eventually include implementation of an auto mechanics technology program.
Cahills Construction, Inc. of Rolla will oversee Phase 1 of the project on campus that features renovations to the facility that houses Career and Technical Education classes. The improvements were largely made possible by one of two $400,000 Career and Technical Education Limited Access Grants the district received. Both include a 25-percent local financial match.
Dr. Justin Copley, superintendent, said the approved construction will address the layout of interior hallways and traffic flow inside PRTC as well as expansion of the business classroom, school store and locker room space and access for shop classes. He said work should begin in the next few weeks pending the finalization of paperwork. Construction will be completed before the end of October.
“After a couple years of planning, we are excited to get into the demolition and building phase,” Copley said. “We’re excited to see the fruits of our labor.
“I want to thank our community and board of education for continued support of the enhancement and access to technical training at Houston Schools.”
The second phase of improvements could include implementing an automotive program on campus, Copley said. The district currently buses students to Southern Missouri Technical Institute in West Plains for those classes.
Copley said the district has until January to make an official decision with the Phase 2 plans, but internally the board plans to decide as early as September.
Houston High School currently provides CTE programs in Agriculture, Business, Building Trades, Family & Consumer Sciences, Graphic Arts, Health Science and Welding on campus.
“If anyone has interest in an automotive mechanics program at Houston Schools, please reach out to us –– either with resources or to be part of an advisory committee,” Copley said.
Cahills Construction began operations in 2002 and has worked with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, University of Missouri, National Park Service and U.S. Department of Defense as well as projects at Bennett Spring Fish Hatchery in Lebanon and Echo Bluff State Park near Eminence.
Approving the general contractor was the lone action taken by the board during the 23-minute open session. Board member Dustin Hartman was absent.