The Fort Dodge Community School District Board approved several items involving the Cooper Elementary School renovation project Monday night.

Ryan Utley, director of buildings and grounds, presented the plans and bids for the project to the board. No changes have been made to the plans since they were originally presented at the Oct. 11 meeting.

Utley said Nov. 14 they opened bidding for the project and had four contractors bid. The lowest bid came from Jensen Builders Ltd., of Fort Dodge, at $4,410,000.

The project will include a new HVAC system in the school, new ceilings, lighting and flooring. The renovation will also widen the doors in the building to make them handicap accessible, Utley said. The project will be paid for using Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief funds.

Utley said the project is scheduled to begin on Feb. 1, 2022, and scheduled to be closed on Aug. 12, 2022. Over winter break, Cooper Elementary classrooms will transition to the former Riverside Elementary School for the remainder of the school year. The classes will return to Cooper in the fall of 2022.

The board unanimously approved the contract to Jensen Builders, with the exception of board member Angie Tracy, who was absent.

In addition, the board unanimously approved a resolution tentatively approving plans, specifications, form of contract, and estimate for asbestos removal in Cooper Elementary.

Utley said the estimate came in at about $150,000 for the project. This project is slated to begin just after the new year and be finished by the end of January 2022.

Monday’s meeting was held at the Fort Dodge Middle School in order to hold the fall recognition of student accomplishments.

Dozens of students in various athletics and activities were recognized by the board for outstanding accomplishments throughout the season.

After the ceremony, the board held its regular meeting and swore in recently re-elected members Stu Cochrane, Lisa Shimkat, and Dan Hansen.

Cochrane was nominated as board president by Shimkat and approved unanimously. Shimkat was nominated as vice president by Hansen and also approved unanimously.