Sandusky school officials have taken another step toward a possible bond issue for a building improvement and consolidation program.

The board of education hired R.C. Hendrick & Son Construction of Saginaw as their construction manager last week. Hendrick submitted the lowest of two bids, 1.8% percent of the total bond issue. The second bid, of 2%, came from Wolgast Company of Saginaw.

Hendrick will conduct a comprehensive study of the district’s three buildings - elementary, middle school and high school, examining roofs, mechanical systems, parking lots, security, general maintenance, etc.

And the company will work with an architect to develop a proposal to consolidate programs into two buildings.

In recent years officials have prepared but never gone ahead with plans for closing completely or partially either the middle or elementary school.

The size of the bond issue, which would require voter approval will depend on the results of the study. The board is targeting August for a possible election.

“There will be no expense (for the construction manager) until a bond issue is passed, should that be the direction (of the board),” stated board member Orin Campbell, chairman of the maintenance, transportation and building and grounds committee.

In other business, the board conducted the job performance evaluation of Superintendent Mike Carmean, after which his contract was extended for another year, through June 2014.

Carmean, whose annual evaluation was conducted in closed session, received an overall rating of 88.27%, compared to 88.10% in March 2011.

He received the following ratings in six categories: General Administration, 88.10%; Planning and Evaluation, 87.76%; Personnel Administration, 89.29%; Staff Development, 88.39%; Business Management, 89.80%; School and Community Relations, 86.22%.

The board designated Jon and Jodi Sherry as the Friends of Youth representatives for the Thumb Meet of Champions in Caro. The Sherrys have been volunteer drama coaches in the high school for several years.