Despite a clerical error in the bid, the Natchez-Adams School Board awarded its Natchez High School renovation project to Harold West of Laurel Thursday.

Harold West submitted the low bid of $1,789,300, but failed to mark on its bid that it received notice of a change made to the project.

Edgin Construction submitted a slightly higher bid of $1,885,000, but its officials said the Harold West mistake gives Edgin priority.

&uot;They’re both very eager to do this work, and both think they have a legitimate claim to the project,&uot; said Johnny Waycaster of Waycaster & Associates Architects.

District officials said they have looked into the matter and think the Harold West bid is still acceptable and the mistake was an oversight.

&uot;The board can waive immaterial irregularities,&uot; said board attorney Bruce Kuehnle.

The competitive nature of the bids was not affected, he said. &uot;We feel fairly confident in saying to you Mr. West based his bid on all three of the addendums (or changes),&uot; Waycaster said.

The district has also spoken with lawyers on each side, he added.

The project includes renovations to the kitchen, cafeteria and gym lobby. Students waiting for lunch will no longer have to stand in the rain after the project is complete, said Superintendent Dr. Carl Davis.

Because of the kitchen work, the district is running on a tight schedule and wants to get the work done in time for school next fall.

An Edgin representative was prohibited from speaking at the meeting. Board policy requires the public to place their names on the agenda if they want to address the board, Davis said.

Despite the controversy, Edgin Construction did not go home empty-handed Thursday.

The board voted to accept Edgin’s low bid of $1,053,000 for the Natchez Middle School renovation project, which includes kitchen and library and resource center renovations for the middle school. The board also accepted bids for kitchen equipment for Natchez High and Natchez Middle. F.R. Blankenstein Co. got the Natchez Middle project with its low bid of $39,028.78. Three companies, F.R. Blankenstein, Hotel &&160;Restaurant and Hawk Inc. were each awarded a portion of the high school kitchen project.