OXNARD : 7 Firms Can Bid on School Project

Officials of the Oxnard Union High School District on Wednesday approved the applications of several construction firms that want to bid on the groundwork for the new Oxnard High School.

At a special meeting Wednesday, the school board approved qualifications for seven of 10 companies throughout the state that have applied to work on the $33-million project.

C. A. Rasmussen of Simi Valley and W. M. Lyles of Camarillo were the only two Ventura County companies to be approved for bidding. Each firm had to demonstrate that it is financially sound and has a long record of public works experience.

Applications from other firms are still being reviewed, said Richard Canady, assistant business manager for the district. He said the district will open bidding on the school project Dec. 16 and expects to award a contract by Jan. 17.

The district is planning to relocate Oxnard High School from its present location at 5th Street and Hobson Way to a 50-acre site near Gonzales and Patterson roads. The district is moving the school because it is now in the flight path of Oxnard Airport.

The new high school will be built in three phases, with groundbreaking on the first phase set to begin next month, Canady said. Phase 1 will include removing lemon trees from the project site and raising the foundation to street level for drainage purposes.

The new school is expected to open in September, 1994.