SANTA PAULA : Bidding Reopened on School Project

Because of an administrative error, the Santa Paula Union High School board decided Monday to reopen bidding for a $2-million renovation of several older buildings.

When school district officials asked for bids earlier this fall, they did not know of a change in California law requiring contractors to be licensed when they submit a bid, officials said. Previously, contractors had been required to have their licenses in order by the time work began, school Supt. Carolina Erie said.

The school board accepted the lowest bid at its meeting two weeks ago. But the decision was challenged by another contractor, who maintained that the firm offering the low bid did not have a proper license. Until that time, the administrator said, the district was unaware of the change in the law, which was enacted in July.

The action to reopen the bidding was taken at a special meeting Monday on the advice of the district’s counsel.

The renovation at the high school includes new windows and improvements to electrical, plumbing and heating systems in the girls’ gymnasium, the industrial arts building and classrooms on the upper campus. The repairs are to be paid for with state and local funds, officials said.