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Bids signal school construction’s near
Published Tuesday, September 11, 2007
The Fergus Falls school district released bid documents for Cleveland Elementary Friday, giving contractors nearly a month to evaluate the site and come up with bids on the school’s upcoming construction project. The school board formally approved the release at its meeting Monday.
Contractors will have the opportunity to visit Cleveland Sept. 25, with the opening of bids two days later. The school board will finalize its bid decision at its meeting Oct. 2 and construction — which includes a new gymnasium and classrooms on the building’s west end — will begin shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, architects and district staff continue to tweak the design of Fergus Falls Middle School, a process that should take until February, said school board member Steve Stenerson.
“We’ve got a ways to go on the plans but they’ve come a long way,” he said. “I think (the architects) are doing a good job of looking at what will make the best plan.”
One recent change in the building’s design is the location of the new music department, originally planned for the Friberg side of the school. Because of less than ideal soil conditions, a new design will put the music department in the current location of the gymnasium, with a small addition for the wrestling room and gymnastics facilities.
“But really, we’re not changing any square footage — it’s just reconfiguring,” said Superintendent Jerry Ness. “So it’s not a major problem, but it is going to take some work to get that in place.”
Planners expect to finalize construction drawings for the middle school — which will eventually hold grades six through 12 — by the end of January, with bidding in February and a target completion date of fall 2009.
Comments
The Daily Journal is happy to host community conversations about news and life in Fergus Falls and the surrounding area. As hosts, we expect guests will show respect for each other. That means we don't threaten or defame each other, and we keep conversations free of personal attacks. Witty is great. Abusive is not. If you think a post violates these standards, don't escalate the situation. Instead, flag the comment to alert us. We'll take action if necessary. It's not hard. This should be a place where people want to read and contribute -- a place for spirited exchanges of opinion. So those who persist with racist, defamatory or abusive postings risk losing the privilege to post at all.Posted by 1125thmp (anonymous) on September 11, 2007 at 3:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Whats the pricetag on this view of what the school should be? How much of an increase in tax revenue will be required simply to pay for all the 'proposed' and 'tentative' and 'exploratory' plans and proposals?
Posted by TKay (anonymous) on September 19, 2007 at 10:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
One hundred school districts, almost one-third of the total in Minnesota, will be going to voters Nov. 6 seeking more property-tax money. Inadequate funding from the Legislature is one of the top reasons for the high referendum count. It is time for the legislature, state and federal, to either fully fund the mandates that they continue to pile on educators or quit with all the mandates and let the teachers teach.
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