Friday, April 28, 2000
Kings building 2 schools
By Sue Kiesewetter
Enquirer Contributor
DEERFIELD TWP. — Work should begin in about three weeks on the most ambitious project the Kings Local Schools has ever undertaken: the simultaneous construction of two elementary schools and refurbishing of a third.
The Kings Board of Education recently approved contracts totaling $17.3 million for construction of schools to replace Kings Mills and South Lebanon elementaries, and the refurbishing/air conditioning of J.F. Burns Elementary School.
The approved contracts include a base bid of $16.5 million and alternate bids totaling $817,561. The base bid alone is 5.7 percent lower than the estimated $17.5 million, according to documents prepared by Terry Wilson, project manager with Fanning/Howey Associates Inc., architects of the project. The lower bids are allowing the district to pay for upgrades it might not have been able to afford otherwise.
“We were very pleased with the results,” said Michael Mowery, Kings treasurer. "It will allow us to build extra classrooms. It worked out well for us.”
The construction work will be paid for from the proceeds of a $23 million bond issue approved by voters in May 1999.
Norwood's Quantum Construction Co. received the project's largest contract, $9.2 million for general construction and masonry work for both Kings Mills and South Lebanon elementary schools. Leo J. Brielmaier Co., Winton Place, was awarded a $1.1 million contract for general construction work at J.F. Burns Elementary. Several other smaller contracts were awarded for other work at the three sites.
Fall 2001 is target date for opening the two new schools.
Renovations at J.F. Burns should be completed by the end of the summer. The district is negotiating with the village of South Lebanon about transferring ownership of the existing school to the village once the new building opens. No decisions have been made about Kings Mills Elementary.
THE PROJECTS
Kings Mills Elementary School will be built on 16 acres across the street from the existing school on Kings Mills Road.
A new school to replace South Lebanon Elementary is planned for a 22-acre site along Ohio 48, just outside of South Lebanon in Hamilton Township.
Besides being air-conditioned, J.F. Burns Elementary will get a new cafeteria and auditorium so that when it is finished, all four elementary schools in the district will have similar features.
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