Excavation Continues

Pictured are some views of the excavation process.

Other Construction

In addition to receiving the reimbursement on the new building, we have received other grant money on the immediate needs program and the partnership program. The total improvement money invested in the district is almost $100,000. With this grant money we will install air conditioners on both campuses, install electrical systems and lighting, and install exterior doors. This work is not related to the new construction but is in our master plan to bring the older buildings into compliance with current standards. I will also update this site occasionally on the progress of these projects.

Aerial Views

We thought it might be interesting to see some aerial photos of the site. The first picture is a view from over the ballfields toward the building site. The lower picture is a view from directly over the site. Notice the excavation where the building will be located. I appreciate Mr. Powell for taking the aerial photos.

Trees and Vegetation Removed

The trees and vegetation have been removed from the building site and this phase of the project has been approved by the engineers. All plant material has to be removed because it is unacceptabe to be in the soil compaction for the building and grounds. The top picture is a close up view from the front of the building location toward the ballfields and fairgrounds and the bottom picture is D. R. Edwards working on a D8 Caterpillar Dozer. You can click on the pictures for an enlarged view.

Bid Date Set

The plans have been completed on the building phase of the project and are out for bids. The bids will be opened on June 15 at 2:00 p. m. in the office of the superintendent.

Dirt Work Has Begun

The dirt work on the project has begun and the heavy equipment has already changed the appearance of the site. Mr. Edwards has several more pieces of equipment to move to the site and will continue to do that over the next few days. The project is in a stage now where we can see progress from day to day. Pictured is a bulldozer working on the site.

Silt Fence Installed

Edwards Bros. has installed the silt fence that is required for the storm water prevention plan. The fence is required to keep the soil in the containment area and is installed around the area that is lower than the building site. Pictured is the silt fence.

Construction Specifications Completed

Bob Bailey, architect, notified us today that the specifications for the building are completed and will be let for bids in the next few days. The procedure requires an advertisement time before bids can be opened. He expects the bids to be opened sometime around June 15. Also, the wet weather has delayed the excavation work but the work should begin as soon as soil conditions permit.

Heavy Equipment on Site

The contractor for the excavation phase of the project, Edwards Bros. Construction, has begun to move some of the equipment to the site. The work has begun on the storm drain prevention plan and work will begin on the excavation as soon as weather permits. Pictured is some of the equipment that has been moved to the site.

Storm Drain Prevention Plan/Silt Fence

The contractor and surveyor were on the site yesterday to begin the installation of the silt fence around the perimeter of the work zone in accordance with the requirements of the storm drain prevention plan. This fence is required to prevent soil from eroding out of the containment area. Work should begin as soon as weather permits on the excavation.

Students Turn First Dirt

The ground breaking ceremony was conducted at the new site on Tuesday, May 9 at 10:00 a.m. The program began with Superintendent Gerald Cooper welcoming the guests and participants. There were brief speeches by Senator Paul Miller, Sheriff Tate Lawrence, Mayor Mike Cone, Ozarka President, Dr. Dusty Johnston, and Judge Rayburn Finley. Mr. Howard Lamb added some closing remarks and introduced the eight students who turned the first dirt on the new site. Pictured are the students breaking the ground. In keeping with our internet safety policy for students, the names have been omitted.