At the Board of Education meeting on Tuesday, June 9, Associate Superintendent Mike Oberhaus updated the board on the projects that have exceeded their budgets due to various construction issues. Thus far, the school district has paid out $7.6 million of the $28 million Building Excellence budget.
Longfellow Liberal Arts school is about $19,000 over budget due to heavy asbestos removal and the discovery of wooden floors under what was thought to be a concrete base. The work to level the floor and pour additional concrete created additional costs.
The Rock Island Center for Math and Science incurred $300,000 in additional costs due to poor soil situation and the discovery of an old foundation before the Villa de Chantal was constructed. The construction was delayed for a few weeks and there were 16-18 trucks removing dirt and bringing in rock every day to create a firm foundation for the building. Since that time, masonry has started and work is continuing at a steady pace.
The Academy also had soil issues and the contractor needed to over-excavate to ensure a proper foundation. The cost for that project is about $18,000 over the contingency amount already budgeted.
The Eugene Field project will probably come in under budget, and is slated to have a Grand Opening to students and parents at it’s “Unpack Your Backpack” night on Thursday, July 30.
Longfellow entrance, southeast side.
Longfellow east classroom addition.
Rock Island Center for Math & Science
Rock Island Center for Math & Science.
Frances Willard drive in entrance, west side.
Front entrance of Ridgewood school.
Ridgewood school front entrance construction.