Published: January 10, 2009 05:27 pm      

Avon schools to undergo renovations

AVON — The Avon School Board started off the new year earlier this week by approving final project designs for renovations of three schools.

The board unanimously approved contracts with Gibraltar Design and Skillman Corporation, both based out of Indianapolis, to renovate Avon Middle School South, Maple Elementary, and White Oak Elementary. The projects for all three schools will cost about $6.25 million.

Dr. Tim Ogle, superintendent of the Avon Community School Corporation, said the project entails renovating classroom space, computer labs, related arts area, and foyer re-design for Avon Middle School South. Similar renovations, along with securing front entrances, will also be completed at the elementary schools.

The renovation project has been a topic of discussion with the board since last August, leading up to the approval of the final project design Tuesday. Ogle said construction is anticipated to begin late this spring. Construction companies will do as much as they can during the summer break, as the board hopes to minimize disruption to the students in the fall as they wrap up construction, he added.

Ogle said he hopes the renovations to existing schools and the construction of another middle school, Avon Middle School North, will improve school buildings.

“We are very interested in seeking to provide equity and educational programming in school buildings,” Ogle said.

The construction for Avon Middle School North, at Dan Jones Road and County Road 100 North, began in the summer of 2007 and should be completed this summer for the start of the 2009-10 school year.

In a December school board meeting, the Avon Middle School’s Redistricting Committee presented four proposed redistricting models to the board and public. The board will choose a redistricting model at the next school board meeting at 9 a.m. Feb. 10.

Also at the meeting:

n Brock Bowsher, director of finance and operations for the school corporation, recommended that the board borrow $4.7 million from Lincoln Bank in Avon, for the year-end tax warrant. The loan for the tax warrant is an advance of the property tax distribution because of delayed property tax issues in Hendricks County. The board unanimously approved the recommendation.

n Kent A. DeKoninch, executive director of administration, recommended that the board approve a contract to rebuild the roads for the community around River Birch Elementary School. The purpose is to enhance roads for neighbors of the school and to make improvements for school traffic. The new elementary school plans to open for school in the fall of 2010. The board unanimously approved the contract.



andrea.hirsch@flyergroup.com