The Centralia City Grade School Board has approved a contract with Shores Contractors of Centralia for additions at both Jordan and Central Schools.
Superintendent Craig Clark hopes construction is underway by the first of the month at Central. He reports an overhead power line will have to be placed underground and a natural gas line relocated by Ameren before the Jordan project can begin.
“We are excited about the opportunity to increase the footprint of those buildings. We will be looking to add multi-purpose rooms to both of those buildings. It will be very similar to Schiller that we just did. The dimensions will be a little bit different in each just because the area we have to work with is different.”
Clark has been assured by Shores they can complete the work by September of next year when the ESSER III Federal COVID relief money has to be spent. The federal funds will pay for $5-million of the total $5.7-million project.
The board also approved a $29,596 bid from Marion Glass to replace windows at the back of Centralia Junior High.
Clark also announced the installation of solar systems at Schiller and Jordan Schools is about to get underway.
“And then installation should start taking place in a couple of weeks. Our hope is that the project is finished and those panels are up and working within the next month. I would imagine by the end of August we should have solar at Jordan and Schiller.”
The board once again waived the registration and book fees for the coming school year due to the district-wide use of the Federal Community Lunch Options.
In personnel news, a new three year contract was approved for Central Middle School Principal Dr. Audrey Hill. A Memorandum of Understanding salary adjustment was approved with Centralia Junior High Principal Jordan Queen. The board accepted the resignation of Schiller first grade teacher Courtney McClain.
