Construction Watch

Districts in Silvis, Du Quoin and Pinckneyville are among those that could receive more than a $1 million each within the next three weeks to help them pay off the cost of building new schools and classrooms.

Superintendent Terry Snyder reported that the capacity construction projects have only received development funds at this point, and the construction has not yet been funded. He said the SFD will make that decision next week.

Among the construction projects proposed for fiscal 2014 is $85 million toward the construction of a new Ballou Senior High School in Ward 8, whose groundbreaking was Tuesday, $38 million toward a $127 million renovation of Roosevelt High School in Ward 4 and upgrades at 15 elementary schools and six middle schools.

Legislation to allow Baltimore City to fund the repair or replacement of more than 50 school buildings has been given final approval in the Maryland General Assembly, sending the bill to Governor Martin O'Malley for his signature.

If spring comes as promised, contractors could begin setting up at the site of the first new Ames elementary school on Miller Avenue this week.

A construction project due to be ready in time for kick off this fall includes adding restrooms, a spirit shop and a shelter for the 200-member high school band at the football stadium.

The council voted unanimously to approve the project this week, with the Massachusetts School Building Authority previously agreeing to reimburse up to $25.6 million – 80 percent – of eligible costs, officials said.

The Appropriations Committee voted 21-3 to send the plan to the House floor. Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller and House Speaker Michael E. Busch agreed on the legislation this week.

A regional president of Woodruff Construction told the Ames Community School Board Monday that he hoped to start the Miller Avenue school project with a clean slate.

State school officials say they will begin construction on a dozen new schools this year, after virtually no building in the three years since Gov. Christie took office.