Ireland Elementary kitchen expansion seen as necessary for current and future needs
The Greater Jasper School Board approved advertising and holding a public hearing for the proposed cafeteria and kitchen expansion at Ireland Elementary.
The hearing for the $2.86 million project will be held November 28 at 7 p.m. Since it is over the $2 million threshold, it is categorized as a controlled project which gives the public the right to petition for or against it after the meeting in November.
Jasper Superintendent Dr. Tracy Lorey told the board that the corporation’s indebtedness will only be minimally impacted by the overage. She added the corporation would not need to raise taxes to accomplish the project.
Clerk of the Works Scott Stenftenagel explained the project would increase the cafeteria capacity from 150 students to 378 and update the kitchen equipment and ventilation.
Stenftenagel told the board that the extra expense of electrical relocation and underground drainage had added to the cost of the project.
The corporation is looking to its future needs as well as its current needs in seeking the update on equipment and added 3,900 square feet. With current enrollment pushing beyond the school’s recommended capacity, the addition would accommodate those numbers and continued growth.
If approved, construction could begin in April of 2017 and end sometime in 2018.
Additionally, Stenftenagel reported that construction crews are finishing the installation of the roofing and have started the bricking of the exterior on the four new classrooms. The interior plumbing and electrical is completed and the installation of Gypsum onto the framing is being done, which shows the rooms taking shape.
The remaining facilities are also being evaluated by Stenftenagel and his staff for the existence of needed maintenance to keep them going.
Lorey also told the board that they attended the net-zero conference recently to evaluate the possibility of adding a solar array to one of the schools to reduce energy consumption and put the savings back into the general fund to assist with student instruction.
