New elementary school project ahead of schedule

The work of digging footings at the site of the new Holton Elementary School, located just west of the current Colorado school, and preparing the site for the first cement pour at the new school's foundation, is expected to start in a couple of weeks, members of the school board learned here Monday evening.

The first report of David Lassiter, construction superintendent for the new school, after last Wednesday's groundbeaking ceremony for the project, included the statement that the project is about a month ahead of schedule.

Originally, Lassiter said, the deadline to have the site for the new school cleared had been set at May 1. That has already been completed.

Also, he said, the original schedule called for foundation work at the site to start July 1. Steel work originally was scheduled for August.

Lassiter said the results of a soils report for the new school site will be very important in determining how builders will need to mold and compact the soil with the correct amount of moisture.

In other business related to the new school project, the school board:

*Approved a motion not to require third-party testing of the electrical system for the new school. Anticipated savings: $26,681.

*Approved a motion to sow grass at the new school campus instead of installing sod. Anticipated savings: $19,887.

*Approved a motion to use better LED lights in the new school classrooms. Anticipated additional cost: $12,150.

*Approved some additional stone work at the new school. Anticipated additional cost: $4,358.

*Approved a motion to add granite to the cement aggregate. Anticipated additional cost: $6,518.

Superintendent Dennis Stones assured the board that the changes approved for the project would not add to the overall budget established for the project.

At its meeting, the school board also approved a motion to move the district's Fresh Start alternative learning program from its rental location on the east side of town to the recently-purchased fair building, starting with the next school term.

The board also discussed the district's E-rate plans and how they relate to the new school.

E-rate funds are funds provided to school districts from the federal government to help pay for local, long distance and Internet fees.

Tom Sextro, technology director for the district, informed the board that federal funds may also be available to help school districts with related "hardware'' needs for the first time, starting with the next school term.

Sextro then sought and received the approval from the board to seek about $75,000 in E-rate funds for two projects involved in the installation of wireless equipment for the new elementary school. The district's matching portion for the projects would be $19,847.82.

"It's worth a shot,'' Sextro said of the application for federal E-rate funds to help with the elementary school needs.

Supt. Stones again assured the board that seeking the federal funds would not add to the overall project price of the new elementary school. Stones said the installation of wireless equipment at the new school had been factored into the overall project cost, but federal E-rate funding (which would lower the district’s costs) had not.