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School projects moving along
SIKESTON -- Some local school bond issue projects are moving right along this summer while others are at a temporary standstill.
It's been a year since both Sikeston R-6 and Scott County R-4 (Kelly) voters approved bond issues to construct new buildings at their high schools, and now school district officials are seeing results.
Construction on Sikeston Senior High School's math and science center began a few months ago, and already the building's framework, plumbing, electrical work and floor slabs are in place.
"Everything is still very much on target," Sikeston R-6 Superintendent Steve Borgsmiller said. "All trades are there working now."
Ground was broken in March, and since that time, groundwork was completed and foundation poured for Kelly High School's 16-classroom building and multipurpose gymnasium/cafeteria, said Superintendent Don Moore.
"The electricians are putting out conduit and plumbing is being installed. Right now they're digging more footings for the other side of the building toward my office. The perimeter and interior wall footings are in. Their next stage is pouring the floors," Moore said.
The 35,000-square foot classroom building will connect to the south side of the existing high school gym and extend behind the superintendent's office building and out toward the track. The multipurpose gymnasium/cafeteria area will connect to the west side of the existing high school gymnasium.
"Right now it's just exciting to see how the building will lay out," Moore said.
Moore said the summer weather has also proved beneficial to the construction workers.
"Our (sandy) soil is advantageous because if it rains, they can go back to work within an hour," said Moore.
Everything is running smoothly, Moore said. However, when construction began, workers removed a portion of the school parking lot to install drainage so that will have to be replaced before school begins in August, he said.
"The building should be far enough along by then it should not disrupt students," Moore said.
But not every district's projects are progressing as quickly as Sikeston and Kelly.
East Prairie R-2 hasn't yet been able to work on its roof replacements at the high school and junior high, said Superintendent Scott Downing.
"It's not been good for us. We've done some of the work just out of our funds. We're hoping to get started soon," Downing said.
In April voters in the East Prairie R-2 School District gave approval for the district to borrow $2.75 million in the form of Qualified Zone Academy Bonds, which are interest-free to the district and available through the U.S. Department of Education.
While the state of Missouri authorizes districts to use the funds, the funding is distributed from the federal government to the state government -- a process that's causing the hold up, Downing said.
"Congress has not reauthorized the (QZAB) funds yet, and we've been told they're supposed to approve the money by July 4," Downing said.
Downing said he's confident the district will receive its money soon. And once funding is approved, work on the roof replacements will start immediately.
"We just may be able to do what we can (before school starts) and extend the project to the next summer," Downing said.
East Prairie's project also includes installing several new energy efficient air-
conditioning and heating units, replacing windows and doors, upgrading lighting and repairing ceilings.
Also in April, Oran R-3 voters approved a $2.5 million bond issue to build a new elementary and junior high school connecting to the high school.
Superintendent Mitch Wood said since the issue was approved, the district's mostly done a lot of behind-the-scenes work such as soil testing, land surveying, etc.
"We've got our bids out for contractors, and we're hoping to get those back in mid-July. And from that, we'll hopefully get some construction going sometime in August," Wood said.
Oran's project includes the construction of a multi-purpose/cafeteria building and kitchen area with the existing cafeteria being expanded into a library/media center. Lighting, electrical and plumbing system updates are also included.
Oran's total project costs $3.5 million. In addition to the bond issue, the school district is using $1 million over 10 years from surplus funds to pay off a $1 million loan. Of the $2.5 million bond issue, $500,000 is QZAB funds, which will be used to complete remodeling and renovations to the existing cafeteria, office, library and computer building.
Wood said he's received the same information as Downing regarding QZAB funding.
"It's a big part of our project, but we've got our bond money and will continue on with it," Wood said. "We're getting a good word (about the QZAB funding), but at the same time, we're cautiously watching our money for next year."