(a) Notice of the time and place the contract will be awarded shall be published in one or more newspapers with general circulation in the state, one of which shall be a newspaper published in the county in which the district is located if a newspaper is published in the county.
(b) The notice shall be published once a week for two consecutive weeks before the time set for awarding the contract, with the first publication being made at least 14 days before the day for awarding the contract.