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| 7/14/2010 4:15:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | District to save $152,000 on construction projects
Maureen Vander Sanden
The Elkhorn Area School District will save $152,000 from the zero-interest federal loan that it secured to fund the various construction projects currently under way, Bill Trewyn, the district's business manager announced Monday.
The School Board, at its July 12 meeting, anonymously approved applying for a $700,000 State Trust Fund Loan for the construction projects in progress at Jackson Elementary, West Side Elementary and the high school.
The construction, contracted through CG Schmidt of Milwaukee, includes adding classroom space to the two elementary schools, and renovating classrooms at the high school to house Project Lead the Way classes.
The Board also approved authorization the resolution for the no-interest loan.
Last month school district officials received notice from the state Department of Public Instruction (DPI) that the district would qualify for the zero-interest loan through the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).
"I'm amazed at the amount of savings for our taxpayers," School Board president Susan Liebsle said at the meeting, commending Trewyn and District Administrator Greg Wescott for their work in securing the 10-year-laon. "Thank you for your hard work, it is very much appreciated."
Elkhorn Area is one of 56 districts that have been approved for a total $120.5 million in Qualified School Construction Bonds, according to a press release from the DPI.
This tax-credit bond pro-gram was created as part of ARRA for all school districts, regardless of size or poverty levels. The federal government will reimburse 100 percent of interest costs associated with Qualified School Construction Bonds.
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Ross Eggert, project manager for CG Schmidt and Bruce Marne, architect for Eppstein Uhen Architects, were present at the meeting to give officials updates on the construction progress.
Demolition and abatement is "largely completed," Eggert said. Jackson Elementary Large Group Room, which is drawn to create space for three new rooms, has been leveled. Additionally, most of the walls are hung and stud framing is now underway with drywall beginning this week. In the coming weeks, crews will begin painting and finishing, ceilings, floors, doors and hardware among other aspects of work.
"All in all, we are in pretty good shape," he said, adding he is confident his crew would meet the deadline prior to the start of the 2010-11 school year
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