The Italy School Board of Trustees met Thursday night in a called meeting with a professional engineer concerning the lighting portion of the tax rate election.

Clint Hulsey of Hulsey Engineering briefly outlined specifics for replacing the lighting fixtures at both school campuses.

Jimmie Malone, superintendent, said Hulsey recently spent some time at the school district in order to write specifications for the project.

Hulsey, Malone explained, will be guiding the project, not serving as a construction manager. He will write the specs, do a couple of on-site inspections during construction and one visit during the punch-out phase of the project. Hulsey’s fee is $6,500.

He estimated approximately 1,260 light fixtures need to be replaced between the two campuses.

Hulsey said the district could use most of the existing wiring and switches. Hulsey suggested replacing the lighting to T5 fluorescent lamp. These fixtures, he explained, should be 30% more efficient.

He told the board that he could have specifications written and out for bid within a couple of months. The board can decide whether they want this project completed in weeks or months.

Hulsey suggested allowing ample time for electricians to do this project after school hours. He explained that a larger firm could get the project done within a couple of weeks. Smaller firms would need more time. He suggested between three-to-four months.

They also discussed options available should they discover faulty wiring during the project.

The front-end specifications, Hulsey explained, should require contractors to have workers comp, proof of insurance on all vehicles used for the project, a performance bond and payment bond. He said the contractors should be required to dispose of all old lighting properly. The engineer suggested background checks and restricted access in and out of the building.

In other business, Malone told the board the independent audit has been completed and turned out very favorably. He said the district ended the 2007 year with $934,000 in fund balance; they ended the 2008 year with $1.4 million. He praised the accomplishments of the school board getting the district to this point.

Malone also praised the efforts of Kevin Witte, technology director, for his efforts updating internet lines between the two campuses. The lines should be up and running by noon on Friday. He also said the district would be receiving 100 computers from Waxahachie ISD. He said Witte worked out a deal with the WISD technology director.

Malone said this would be discussed further at the monthly meeting set for Tuesday, Jan. 20.