HNS School addition project is nearly complete
HARTINGTON — The addition project at Hartington-Newcastle Schools is nearly complete.
Supt. A.J. Johnson said he is very pleased, since the original completion date was supposed to be mid to late July, Johnson told School Board members Monday the project would be totally finished this month if it weren’t for one small glitch.
Johnson said when subcontractors installed the bleachers in the new gymnasium in mid-March, the wood floor was damaged. RaDec Construction personnel, who are overseeing the project, immediately informed the school and the subcontractor of the issue when it was discovered, said HNS Supt. A.J. Johnson.
The issue is now being evaluated to determine if the floor will have to be sanded down again or how the issue can be fixed, Johnson said.
“We probably won’t be able to determine how deep it is, or what we need to fix the issue for a little while, yet,' Johnson said. “Our concern is if they do have to sand the wood, that takes the lifespan of the floor down. If we are losing value in that floor, we will have to get compensation for that.'
The subcontractor’s insurance company is now evaluating the issue.
The Board voted Monday to give the School Board’s Building Committee the authority to act to fix this problem once all options are known. School Board members Jason Dendinger, Ian Lange and Aaron Fuelberth comprise the Building Committee.
Also Monday, since the project is nearly complete, the HNS School Board agreed to pay RaDec most of the retainer fee it is owed. The school is now only holding back $100,000 for a retainer. Those funds will be paid once the project is 100 percent complete, Johnson said.
The Board also voted Monday to have Dave Noecker install security cameras in the new addition. These cameras will be linked up with the current system, however, more computer hardware will be required in order to do this.
The Board also agreed to sell some used equipment from its preschool to Holy Trinity. The HNS preschool has been housed this school yeafoutoftheCongregationalChurchbasement, the program will move back into the school for next school year. Holy Trinity plans to start a daycare in the Congregational Church basement and wants to take advantage of some of the equipment HNS already has in place.
The Board then went into executive session to discuss the principal’s evaluations and review their salaries.