News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
White County School System’s BonDeCroft Elementary expansion project hoping to finish by Spring Break this year.
Director of Schools Kurt Dronebarger provided the school board with an update Thursday night. He said at this point much of the concrete has been poured, including the parking lot binding, and walls should start going up soon.
“The next challenge will be, amongst the rain, to get the entire foundation poured and then we’ll really start to see things progress as they put the next level on and pour the upper slab as well,” Dronebarger said. “So it’s starting to really take shape. The school and the community is working really well around all the construction.”
Dronebarger said they had originally hoped to have the work completed by Christmas break. He said the rain pushed back progress, but the most challenging portion of the work has been overcome. Dronebarger said it remains to be seen if classrooms will move over as soon as the work is completed.
Board Member Dewayne Howard said he would like to see some upgrades to BonDeCroft’s entrance sign as well. He said has heard from the community members who also have an interest in seeing this completed.
“We just need to start a conversation I’d be glad to initiate that and get those folks at the table and discuss it,” Dronebarger said. “Would have some discussion about funding and seeing where that’s coming from. There’s a possibility that at the end of the project that there might be contingency funds that might be left over but that’s unknown at this town. The first step would be to get all of the players at the table.”
It is some 20,000 square foot two-story building that will connect two existing structures and create a new entrance. New classroom spaces and office areas will be constructed as well.
In other business, the school board also approved System Testing Coordinators, which they do annually. This year’s coordinators will be Angela Fresh and Valarie Butcher as recommended by Dronebarger.
