7-24-07

EXCELLENCE WITH VALUE CONTINUES

The construction activities at Little Miami Local Schools continue to provide "excellence with value."

"Currently, the projects are on time and within budget," said Superintendent Dan Bennett. "We are excited to see the progress that is being made this summer."

The high school additions project began this summer as the foundations for the classroom wing and the multi-purpose room wing were poured. Construction will continue over the next twelve months, and the addition is scheduled to be completed and opened for the start of the 2008-09 school year.

According to Senior Project Manager Justin Koenes with Quandel/Dugan & Meyers, the costs of the high school addition have been budgeted for $12 million, and while there is a small remainder of work to be bid out for the project, to date, the project is 9.45 percent under budget. This means the district will be able to stretch construction dollars farther.

"The savings being accrued from the bids will be placed back into the bond program for items such as required road improvements at the high school and junior high school sites," he explained.

The construction team is optimistic they will maintain the same kind of results at the new junior high school project.

Underground utilities and earthwork preparation began earlier this summer. Quandel/Dugan & Meyers is scheduled to bid the building packages in August with the start of the construction in September. The costs of the new junior high school have been budgeted for $20.5 million, and the building is scheduled to open for the 2009-10 school year.

The design of the new intermediate school is progressing. An early sitework package is being prepared for this site, similar to the junior high site, and is expected to start in September. The cost of the new intermediate school has been budgeted for $20.5 million, and the building is scheduled to open for the 2009-10 school year.