MOSES LAKE - A tentative date of Nov. 13 was set to open construction bids for the new Grant County Skills Center.

Mark Johnson, the district's director for business and operations, said the project will be advertised for bid about Oct. 10. Johnson updated the Moses Lake School Board at its regular meeting Thursday.

Johnson said construction on the regional transportation center reached the building footing stage. Some equipment for the transportation center was ordered already, due to the lead time needed for delivery, he said.

In other business, district Superintendent Michelle Price reported a mentor was hired for Columbia Basin Secondary School, part of the district's efforts to improve the graduation rate there. John Fishburne is a retired teacher from the Eastmont School District in East Wenatchee; he will be on campus every day and work with the administration.

District officials were notified earlier this year that Columbia Basin failed to meet state benchmarks for graduation and the district would be required to take steps to improve it. Columbia Basin is the district's alternative secondary school and Price said state officials will take that into account.

Johnson reported district officials will meet with an architect and heating/cooling specialist on plans to upgrade the swimming pool at Moses Lake High School. The current cover is deteriorating and board members have asked for information about replacement.

Johnson said he's asked about a range of options, ranging from a "soft-sided" cover to a permanent structure. But money will place some limitations on what the district can do, he said. A permanent structure would be difficult to pay for without some kind of construction bond, he said.

District officials also need to ask state officials what the state will and will not accept in terms of a temporary fix and what they want for permanent repairs, Johnson said.

Two Moses Lake students, Freddie Prado and Gabriella Alamos, were sworn in as representatives to the board. They will serve through the end of the school year.