The Bureau of Indian Affairs has announced the award of a $737,093 contract for construction of a new school at Tyonek, Alaska, a native community on Cook Inlet.
The new building replaces a dilapidated structure that was built in 1930. Contract specifications call for: three classrooms; a kitchen; multi-purpose room; library; offices; a gymnasium with a stage; a storage area and janitor facilities. Also included will be a sewerage system; utilities; concrete sidewalks; play areas and site grading. There are now approximately 60 Indian children enrolled at the Tyonek School.
Tyonek villagers, who last year accepted $11 million in oil and gas bids for some 8,500 acres of their lands, will contribute $143,965 toward construction of the new facility.
Successful bidder was Corvi Construction Co., Inc., of Spenard, Alaska. Three other bids were received, ranging to a high of $838,000.
Tyonek School is one of five in the Kenai Borough scheduled for transfer of title to the State of Alaska next year. The schools are now operated by the State but funded by Federal monies administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which holds title of ownership, Under the Johnson-O’Malley Act, Federal funds are made available to support needy public school districts with large enrollments of American Indian, Aleut, and Eskimo children.
On July 1, 1966, five similarly funded schools in Kodiak Borough will be transferred to State ownership.
