The DeKalb School Board signed a contract with Turner Construction to handle summer building projects.

The contract, approved at the school board’s Monday night meeting, also approved Burnidge Cassell Associates as architects.

School Board President Tom Teresinski said Turner was chosen because it has handled similar projects and completed those on time.

The district planned four projects for the summer, including work at Wright Elementary, Malta; Clinton Rosette Middle School, 650 N. First St.; Huntley Middle School, 821 S. Seventh St.; and Chesebro Elementary School, 900 E. Garden St.

Some members of the board expressed concern about the deadline for construction completion outlined in the contract.

Board member Andy Small said he didn’t like that the contract allowed Turner a Sept. 30 deadline of “substantial completion.”

“We better have something true, damn definite,” Small said. He and Suzanne Lambrecht, DeKalb School Board vice president, said they would want to see an occupancy-ready completion date of Sept. 6, the day before classes begin.

The school board also approved an action item that will allow for it to pay Exelon Energy directly for electricity instead of going through a middleman.

The school board now will be able to purchase the energy itself and save more than $48,000, said MeriAnn Besonen, assistant superintendent of business and finance. The move requires a one-year agreement.

“While we are not saying it’s a contract, it sounds like an obligation,” Teresinski said. Some board members were concerned they may not have other options with the power situation.