Serving Whitman County since 1877
Serving Whitman County since 1877
With a $5.6 millon school bond passed last week at 72 percent approval, school officials in Colton will now move ahead to make it all a reality.
While groundbreaking won’t take place until the summer of 2014, Supt. Nate Smith said the preliminary background work is soon to start.
The first step is for Smith and school board members to meet with their bond consultant, Jon Gores of D.A. Davidson, to set the timeline for the $5.6 million, 30-year bond sale.
Greg Costellaw and Larry Kom of Costellaw Kom architects in Lewiston will start the second phase of architecture and design.
Smith said he will also consult with the state’s Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction about the $4.2 million in matching funds Colton will receive. The money comes with certain rules for where it can be used, based on factors such as square footages and students per grade level. The matching funds are designed to be used where they will most impact student learning. For example, Smith said, OSPI money cannot be used for district offices, which do not affect students.
As for the Colton project, the gym addition is an area which will be down the list as far as where OSPI funds can be spent.
Adding eight feet to the west end of the Colton gym will be part of the first phase of the construction once it begins.
After next school year, before construction starts, school officials will first convert the agriculture shop and the bus garage to be used as temporary classrooms.
Smith estimated that the first phases of the project will go out for bid in the next six months.
“All of our students and staff are very thankful for all those who supported this levy project,” said Smith. “I think it’s a great step forward for both of our communities.”
The total project will include a new entryway to the building, gravel parking lot and energy-efficiency changes including heating, air conditioning, electrical and plumbing.
The new parking lot will be at the west end of the school building, adjacent to the proposed new entryway, which will allow visitors to be seen coming in and out.
As of now the entrance is on the building’s east side and leads to a small foyer before a split staircase.
Energy improvements in the bond include replacement of original 1939 black steel metal pipes which deliver heat to the classrooms.
Garth Meyer is a former Whitman County Gazette reporter.
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