Woodward Construction Co. of Hartselle is the apparent low bidder for the site preparation work on the new Priceville High School construction project. The scope of the project includes mass grading, drainage and a utilities package.

Woodward’s base bid, the last of seven to be read, came in at $1,314,250. Another local building contractor, Baggette Construction of Decatur, submitted a second low bid of $1,361,900.

The other bidders were: Reed Contracting, $1,418,807.91; Limestone Building Group, $1,549,700; Waters Bros., $1,647,589.12; H.N. Donahoo Contracting, $1,815,870; Carcel & G Construction, $1,835,879.230; and Manning Construction, $2,100,278.

Bids were opened and read Thurs., May 30, at 2 p.m. in the meeting room of the Morgan County Board of Education. Jacob Woods, a representative of GBW Architects, assisted Shane Bagwell, construction manager for Volkert Inc.

Bagwell said the bids would be examined and evaluated by his firm and the architect to ensure that all specifications were met. Subsequently, a recommendation will be made to the school board for its consideration.

“We pre-qualified 11 contractors and received bids from eight. Bagwell pointed out. “That’s a good number for this project and we’re pleased with the outcome.”

The project is subject for completion within 90 calendar days from its starting date.

Bagwell acknowledged that the construction of an entrance to the 55-acre school site by Morgan County Commission, District 1, and Priceville Town Council’s donation of $50,000 towards the extension of a sewer main had a beneficial effect on bidding for the site prep work.

The budget for the new school is approximately $25.5 million and the anticipated project completion date is summer 2014.