Planning for projects under the school district’s bond is underway and work on a new gymnasium at the high school could begin by the end of the year.
Supt. Bill Hampton shared plans and information with the bond oversight committee Thursday night in its first meeting. That committee is required by the bond to ensure that bond money is spent on the items listed in the bond request, which passed in May. The committee was built into the bond request as a form of accountability for the School District.
Preliminary plans have been drawn for the reconstruction of Sweet Home High School and new classrooms at Hawthorne Elementary.
School District 55 has spent approximately $16,800 for architects and $239,500 in bond issuance costs so far, leaving $18.6 million of the bond.
A high school committee will meet on Sept. 18 to review plans for the new high school gymnasium, which will be set behind the existing high school separate from the new high school. Those plans are expected to change. The project will cost an estimated $4 million.
The district hopes to finalize plans on the new gym by the end of the month, possibly bidding next month and starting work in December, although timelines could change.
Plans for the remainder of the high school reconstruction are being developed. The project will cost an estimated $8.6 million with construction possibly in June 2003.
“I don’t think you can demolish and rebuild this while school is in session,” Supt. Hampton said. “I think it’s dangerous for kids while in session.”
He would like to see the project completed in 12 to 16 months.
The Hawthorne project will include replacements for a total of six classrooms, but the gym will not have a stage built, Supt. Hampton said. The cost for the classrooms will be approximately $670,000 with a possible start date of June.
Locker replacement, about $67,000, will begin in December at the junior high. At the high school, officials are undecided what they will do at this point.
Bleacher replacement at Foster and the junior high, approximately $50,000, should happen in December.
Initial quotes on removal of underground storage tanks are varying and running higher than anticipated. The district is going to take more time to study this issue with an expected start date in Jun.
Electrical and technology improvements at the junior high, $25,000, should be complete this month.
In June, the district will pave the bus garage complex, $28,500 with an additional $70,000 from the State of Oregon. This will probably be tied to other projects.
The district is looking into new security and fire alarm systems, $66,000, to be installed in June.
The district also is exploring the costs and options for covered play areas. Most estimates are exceeding the $20,000 each estimated in bonds. The district is looking at options, such as using funds raised by PTCs for that purpose to help. Construction could start in June.
At Holley, the district plans to complete replacement of the heating system in the west wing this month.
The committee next plans to meet at 7 p.m. on Oct. 20 in the School District board room.
“We think we’re going to have overruns,” Supt. Hampton said. Interest rates are going down right now, and contractors say they are busy, so projects will be completed later with higher costs.