By Kathy Chaffin
kchaffin@salisburypost.com
The poor economy has led to savings of more than $337,000 for Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
Planned renovations to Building 600 on the North Campus off Jake Alexander Boulevard were estimated to cost $522,587, Building Committee Chairman Irvin Newberry told fellow trustees at Monday afternoon’s meeting. However, the low bid of 24 submitted by area constructions firms was $185,300.
“That’s the state of the economy,” said Trustee Clyde Higgs, adding that the savings amount to almost 70 percent. “I tell you, that’s unbelievable.”
Newberry said the low bid was submitted by Holden Construction Co. of Greensboro. Project architect Nathan Coyle of Ramsay, Burgin, Smith Architects of Salisbury facilitated the bid opening for Rowan-Cabarrus.
The highest bid came in at $320,041.
Trustee Nancy Bilson asked if it was unusual for a renovation project of that size to generate 24 bids.
“Yes, very much so,” said Dr. Jerry Chandler, vice president of administration, human resources and advancement for the community college. When the economy was good, he said, five or six construction firms might have bid on the project.
Plans call for the Building 600’s radiography classroom and laboratories to be renovated, installation of digital radiography equipment and renovation of bathroom facilities and water fountains to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Trustees approved awarding the bid to Holden Construction Co. by a unanimous vote.
They also approved a request by Rowan-Cabarrus President Dr. Carol Spalding to delegate authority to the Building Committee to approve items and issues related to new construction and renovation of facilities during periods when the board is not scheduled to meet or in cases when waiting until the next regularly scheduled meeting for review and approval would adversely affect a project.
The authority would be contingent upon: “the full board having approved the overall construction/renovation project(s) at a previous meeting and the availability of sufficient funds for the project(s).”
A similar resolution has been in effect for the Board of Trustees’ Personnel Committee to complete faculty and staff hiring procedures.
Also at the meeting, Rowan-Cabarrus trustees approved the hiring of two new administrative staff members.
Dr. Michael A. Feldstein was hired as director of planning, research and institutional effectiveness.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology and a master’s degree in psychology from East Carolina University. Feldstein went on to earn a doctorate degree in education from N.C. State University.
He worked previously as director of assessment at Peace College in Raleigh; director of assessment with TRG Inc. in Raleigh; consultant and owner of MIAT in Cary; and assistant dean of institutional effectiveness at Meredith College in Raleigh. Most recently, Feldstein worked as a training and assessment consultant with TRG/Learning V2 in Raleigh.
He has also taught at Campbell University, Peace College, Meredith College, Wake Technical Community College and N.C. Wesleyan College.
Curtis L. Jones was hired as a counselor for career services in Rowan-Cabarrus’ Student Services Department.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in family/child community services and a master’s degree in guidance and counseling from Bowling Green State University.
Jones comes to Rowan-Cabarrus from Goodwill Industries, where he served as a career development specialist.
He also worked at Franklin County Educational Service Center as CiMS support staff; external coach and technical consultant with Columbus City Schools in Columbus, Ohio; GRAD (graduate students) health adviser at OhioHealth; senior academic adviser at Columbus State Community College; news/traffic reporter with Metro Westwood One in Columbus; campus recruiter/counselor/enrollment adviser at Columbus State Community College; and assistant director of multicultural affairs at Ohio University.
Contact Kathy Chaffin at 704-797-4249.