School buildings delayed

Completion dates for construction occurring at the new Expedition Academy and the renovation at Monroe Intermediate School have been delayed, according to Superintendent Donna Little-Kaumo.

While discussing the district’s construction projects last night at the Sweetwater County School District No. 2 board meeting, Little-Kaumo said completion for two of the three sections at Monroe will be April 15, while Expedition Academy’s completion will be March 6.

Little-Kaumo said work at both locations costs approximately $10 million, an amount she describes as a deal for the district because of the cost associated with building a new facility being much higher. However, with that savings comes hurdles associated with older buildings that don’t appear initially when the renovation begins. Little-Kaumo said the delays are partly due to aggressive schedule implemented by the district being affected by unforeseen issues as they crop up.

The sections at Monroe anticipated for April completion include the classroom addition known as section C and the former pool area, referred to as section A. The Monroe Pool was recently filled in. Little-Kaumo said the process involved using large blocks of Styrofoam, which filled the pool and were sanded down. Rebar was placed above them and concrete poured to form a new floor. She said the area will house the school’s cafeteria and dining room, as well as a media center.

“Now that this room is complete, it will create a massive cafeteria and dining area,” Little-Kaumo said.

After completion, the fifth graders in the building will be moved to the C section and work will start on the central portion, which Little-Kaumo says will be the most extensive portion of the project.

As a result of these delays, work on Wilson Elementary, the former Expedition Academy, is being delayed. The sixth grade students at Wilson will be finishing their year at the building, but Little-Kaumo said if work can begin in February or March, completion could happen by the fall semester. However, she also believes it more prudent to complete work at Expedition Academy and Monroe before starting with Wilson.