The Kent-Meridian High School gym project has survived a round of project delays, and will be funded this year, along with a number of other capital projects in the Kent School District.
That was the news following Wednesday’s meeting of the Kent School Board, where members had some difficult choices to make, regarding projects promised under the district’s 2006 bond issue.
Under the $31 million bond, which voters passed, the district had outlined dozens of renovation projects around the district: from roof repairs and replacing water systems, to the K-M gym improvements and replacing fire-alarm systems.
But thanks to an economy in disarray, the district has opted to hold off selling approximately half of those bonds until the fiscal climate improves.
“The economy is going to have to recover, to get us to the point of selling the bonds,” explained Fred High, the district’s assistant superintendent for business services, in an interview March 23. Had the district opted to sell the bonds now, that would have resulted in tax increases for residents, High noted.
So on Wednesday, the Kent School Board had a difficult task before it: paring back the projects outlined under the bond issue. But High noted it’s important to realize the district isn’t actually dropping any projects; it’s just delaying them until the time when the remainder of the bonds are sold.
“Some things will have to be delayed,” he said.
The following is a list of the projects that will be funded for the 2010 year:
At Kent-Meridian High School
Replacing the main gymnasium hardwood floor
Renovating the locker rooms
Renovating the gym facility’s HVAC and electrical systems
Upgrading chemistry rooms
At Kentridge High School
Replacing floor coverings throughout the main building, special chargers, science wing and hallways
Remodeling a science wing
Adding restrooms to the D and E wings
At Kentlake High School
Install fall restraint system for safe roof access in spans
At Cedar Height Middle School
Install fall restraint, roof access from inside building and ladder access over parapet walls on roof
At Crestwood Elementary
Replace fire-alarm system
At Daniel Elementary
Install fall restraint to provide safety for roof access
At East Hill Elementary
Adding 6,200-square-foot multipurpose room
At Fairwood Elementary
Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface
Replacing carpet through all areas
Remodeling or adding classroom doors
At Horizon Elementary
Parking lot work
At Kent Mountainview Academy
Replacing domestic water system
At Lake Young Elementary
Replace classroom heating system
At Neely-O’Brien Elementary
Install exhaust fan in staff workroom
Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface
Reconfiguring the parking lot
At Park Orchard Elementary
Replacing the school heating and mechanical system
At Pine Tree Elementary
Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface
Replacing classroom and office area univents
At Sawyer Woods Elementary
Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface
Renovating or replacing playground matting
At Sunrise Elementary
Install fall restraint system for safe roof access
A number of other projects didn’t make the funding cut for this year, including remodeling the science area at Kentwood High School to accommodate chemistry, repainting the interiors of all the buildings at Kentridge, asphalting the lower parking lot at Kentridge, a science-room upgrade project at Kent-Meridian, and heating, ventilation and playground-surface upgrades at schools throughout the district.
Information wasn’t readily available as to when those projects will be undertaken, but will most likely be affected by upcoming economic improvements.
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