The Warren County R-III school board approved a revised food service facility construction bid after initial bids came in over the project’s budget.

The school board voted 5-0 last week to approve Integra Construction Company to construct the shell of the food service facility for $569,423.

The initial bid from Integra Construction Company was over $1.2 million. They were the lowest initial bidder. The district maintenance department worked with Integra to see what work the district could complete.

Under the proposal, Integra would perform site demolition, install site utilities, build footings and pad excavation, complete plumbing, electric, concrete foundations, concrete parking lot and sidewalks and build pad concrete. They will also supply and install wood framing, sheeting and trusses for building the structure shell. The district would put in the kitchen, freezer and complete the rest of the interior work, Warren County R-3 Superintendent Gregg Klinginsmith said.

Klinginsmith said the district will complete as much as they can and then will complete the rest of the work as funds are available. The district currently has $500,000 in the budget to finish the interior part of the project. The freezer is expected to cost about $150,000.

“What we would have for sure would be dry storage and we for sure would have the freezer,” Klinginsmith said.

Board Member Franci Schwartz stressed Director of Food Service Debbie Linke represented the storage space as the most critical portion of the project.

“If we had that up and going and usable, that’s the most critical,” Schwartz said. “And she has office space to use. It may not be the best spot but it’s functional. And then other things can come a little later if necessary.”

Klinginsmith noted the district anticipates they may have more revenue than is currently budgeted.