Update from Gary Jantz

The following is an update on the construction progress in the district from Gary Jantz, Asst. Superintendent for Business.


Several bond construction projects are at various stages of completion and planning at this time.

The addition of air conditioning to Lindley Hall is complete. This project also included adding insulation and the installation of a new ceiling to the gym area. In phase II of this project, current windows will be replaced with energy efficient windows.

The addition of 6 classrooms to Northridge is almost complete. Our expectation is to move into those classrooms prior to the Christmas break.

Work is underway on the addition of work space and training lab/conference room to the Educational Technology Center. Dirtwork has been completed and footings are being dug.

Work has also begun on a 6 classroom addition to the east end of Santa Fe in preparation for it becoming a 5/6 center. The 6 classrooms will also be built to serve as a storm shelter so all students in the main building do not have to exit to the storm shelter area in Lindley Hall. Minor revisions to the media center and renovation of the existing tech lab area into classrooms, office and additional cafeteria space will also be done. Most work will be competed by the fall or winter of 2009 with the tech lab renovation to be completed in the summer of 2010.

Additions and renovations to current vocational buildings at the high school and the construction of a new vo. ag. and woods building is underway. The current auto technology building will have new classrooms and restrooms added to the south side, opening up additional shop space in the existing part of the building. The Brooks Trades Center will have storage rooms added for both Welding and Machine Technology. Extensive renovations and additions to existing classrooms are also a part of this project. The current woods technology classes will be moved out of Brooks into the new vo. ag. and woods building. This building will be a 50,000 sq. ft. metal building with classroom and shop areas. The vo. ag. part of the building will include a greenhouse, paint booth for painting large equipment and construction projects and an overhead crane system. At the present time dirtwork is underway on these projects with footings for the auto technology addition to begin soon. Completion of all these projects is scheduled for the start of school in the fall of 2009.

The extension and paving of Boyd Avenue from the high school to 17th Street has been completed. This extension was necessary to give access to the new vocational building.

Planning is 90% complete for additions and renovations to the Chisholm Campus. This project includes the addition of 3 general classrooms, 2 science classrooms, a special education classroom, vocal music room, conference/workroom, gymnasium, locker rooms and additional parking. If funding allows, a combination weight room/wrestling room will also be added. Improvements to existing spaces include adding offices to each of the pods and air conditioning of the current gym. The locker rooms will serve as additional storm shelter space. Canopies are being planned for main entrances. This project is scheduled to be bid in January or February with construction starting in the spring. Construction is due to be completed by the start of the 2010-11 school year.

Planning is also underway for additions and renovations to the main high school building. A new media center, office/conference spaces and exterior Ravenscroft Gym entrance are being planned for the south side of the building. The existing media center, offices and vo. ag. shop will be remodeled into classrooms. Ravenscroft Gym will also be air conditioned. This project will be bid in the spring with construction to start this summer and hopefully be completed by the start of the 2010-2011 school year.

The final project will be an addition to the Cooper Early Education Center. This project is in the very early stages of planning. Work will include demolition of the current Cooper Annex. The goal is to have this project completed by the end of 2010.

To this point all projects have come in under budget. Savings realized so far will go toward additional work that needs to be done at Chisholm and toward the purchase of furniture, technology and equipment for all projects.

November 3, 2008

Moving-in day for teachers and students at Northridge Elementary is fast approaching! The lockers are in and all windows and double-doors should be installed by now. This week the ceiling tiles go up and painting begins. Also scheduled for this week are the installation of flooring and plumbing. It won't be long!

Elsewhere, dirt work has started at the Santa Fe Middle School and Educational Technology Center construction sites. Bids for construction of the main Newton High School remodeling project have come in under budget. There will be a pre-bid conference next week for the construction of the new 50,000 sq. ft. vocational building at NHS.

The barn at Walton Rural Life Center is scheduled for delivery next week and should be assembled in time for winter. The barn will house some of Walton's resident animals for the winter.