The construction process on the new North Platte junior high school continues on schedule.
Site excavation will resume soon, and the final drawings are scheduled to be finished in early October, according to North Platte superintendent Karl Matt. The bidding process will follow for those aspects of the construction process with those expected to be awarded in November.
The old school, which was the original Dearborn High School built in 1930, was demolished back in July to begin the physical process of proceeding with the construction of the new facility.
“We are working well with Universal Construction and Incite Design Studio and we anticipate the new addition being complete for the start of the 2018-2019 school year,” Matt said.
After the public overwhelmingly passed Proposition 2 bond during the April 4 election, the district will be able to use funds in the amount of $6.2 million for capital projects with the first priority to replace the junior high school. Other projects include roof repairs or replacements and completing smaller improvements to the schools in Dearborn and Camden Point.
While construction of the new building should start soon, the other projects are being scheduled to go along with the construction of the new building and a majority of the projects are expected to be completed summer of 2018.
Matt said some parking areas will be closed during the construction, and mobile classrooms have been brought in to help accommodate students.
In November, the North Platte board approved Incite Design Studio for architectural designs. The company brought a potential floor plan for a new junior high school in December, and the large project became the focal point of the district’s proposed plans. The district sought a continuation of its current tax rate to help fund the projects.
Other projects listed on an informational brochure include high school roof repair/replacement ($375,000 estimate) and repairs/renovations and upgrades of the high school/junior high campus. In addition, the elementary school would receive foundation work, roof repairs/replacements and other renovations.
Both the high school and elementary school, located in Camden Point, Mo., would have HVAC upgrades.
Total cost of the projects is estimated at $6.65 million with the current tax rate expected to generate about $6.2 million over 12 years to go with close to another half million from a Missouri Department of Energy grant.