Burlington Schools Superintendent Brent Rousey and the board are determined to get the cost of their building project for a new gym/family fitness center and cafeteria reduced from even the lowest bid that was submitted. That bid was from Lambert Construction Co. of Stillwater, which was $8,799,000. Rousey said they have to reduce costs and don't want to change the scope of the project and keep as close to the original plans as possible.

At a special meeting Jan. 11, Rousey and board members discussed cost savings measures and listened to suggestions from Lambert Construction reps Mark Lambert...