Phase One of the Cole Camp R-1 construction project remains on budget and on-time. Construction on four elementary classrooms, a set of restrooms and a new multi-purpose building began last May and continues to get closer to completion. Using local resources, the district partnered with Septagon Construction to build this addition. According to Superintendent Christina Hess, the approximate date for initial completion is the end of February but the district will still need to finish installing technology, alarms, cabinetry, shelving, etc.
“We will need time to make sure we are satisfied with all aspects of the buildings before we sign off on them,” said Hess. “And then, our staff will take over installing intercoms, cabinets and other furnishings.”
For these reasons, the new buildings will not be occupied until school starts in August.
In other news, the district will be asking voters to approve a no tax increase bond measure in the April general election. When passed, this would allow the district to extend current bonding opportunities with no additional tax burden placed on patrons. It would generate approximately $3.5 million in additional funds that could be used for capital improvements to district facilities.
After working with the Strategic Planning Committee this past summer, the Cole Camp R-1 Board of Education has approved Phase Two of the district’s building project that would add facilities for industrial arts/shop classes as well as relocation of music programs. The proposed new addition would be tucked into the area on the west side of the campus. This approximate 8,700 square foot addition would only happen if the no tax increase bond issue is approved.
According to Hess, “The community has expressed a strong desire for our students to have access to more hands-on, career education type classes.”
She continued, “The proposed shop and classroom space would be ample to house larger building and construction projects, as well as the technical support classes that are needed to operate and maintain state of the art equipment.”
Moving music classes would provide more standardized space, increased, convenient storage and help mitigating the noise these programs generate.
“The Board of Education is committed to supporting the district’s mission of preparing our students to be successful at whatever they do, once they leave our hallways,” said Hess. “Using no tax increase funds to build these facilities is a giant step to fulfilling that mission.”
