HARTFORD — Construction on the high school will begin as soon as graduation is over.
The $948,300 is a worstcase figure, though. “By all means, we're going to be as cost-concious as possible,” Business Manager Andrew Sarnow told School Board members.
“The bids will still come back to the board for final approval,” District Administrator Lisa Olson added.
Sarnow estimated the cost for the entrance to be between $286,100 and $316,000. The school will have to advertise for bids within the next few weeks to ensure that the project can start shortly after graduation June 8. All board members except for Bill Savage voted to authorize the district to begin the bidding process.
Savage was on board with the rest of the school board members where it concerned a redesign of the technology classrooms, which include areas like computer labs, woodshops, equipment rooms and a photography darkroom.
Sarnow estimated the costs for that project, which must be completed before the school looks at modernizing and streamlining its dining areas, would fall between $571,300 and $631,500.
“I think this is cautiously high,” he warned, adding that the designs have not been completely finalized and costs could change based on the needs of the technology education teachers.
The projects will be completed without a referendum. Sarnow said the district plans to use various funds and grants to cover the costs without raising taxes beyond normal revenue increases.