Summer projects from Proposition K.I.D.S. passed by northern Platte County voters are nearing completion in the North Platte R-I School District.
The passage of the proposition allowed the district to borrow $7 million for upgrades across its facilities. Voters passed Proposition K.I.D.S. on April 7 last spring, gaining over 73% of the vote.
Summer projects for the first tier were estimated to cost up to $4.75 million, which included upgrades to the heating, ventilation and air conditioning, as well as roofing repairs, a new concession stand, a new turf football field and track.
In an update issued Aug. 19 at a board meeting, the turf football field was 98% completed, with minor touches remaining. Construction originally began on May 14, but students were able to begin practicing on the new field on Aug. 14.
All practices and activities on the football field and track from Aug. 24 until mid-September were scheduled to be relocated, allowing the final layer of the track to be installed before a two-week curing process.
The project is expected to be completed by Sept. 15, from which practices and events will return home.
Among the events relocated is the North Platte football team’s season-opener against Gallatin on Aug. 28, scheduled as a home game. The game has been relocated to Savannah High School.
The new concession stand is also in its final phase of construction, with the project expected to be completed the week of Aug. 24 once the finishing touches are applied and the appliances are moved in.
The new HVAC system at the high school was scheduled to have all units operational before school returns in session. The only remaining touches are pump replacements, with the bathroom also getting new flooring, fixtures, partitions and toilets.
The elementary school also received new HVAC units, with all units installed in the classroom, kitchen and office units.
Roof projects have also been completed, with repairs at the elementary school on July 31 and at the high school on Aug. 12.
The district is also evaluating a second tier of the proposition, which includes upgrades to the junior high school gym sound system and stage curtains.