Cathy May, Contributing Writer

The South Ripley School Board gave approval to Kovert Hawkins Architects at a special meeting on March 3 to go ahead with the building project that will see parts of both schools renovated, kindergarten rooms added, along with a new gymnasium.

In an interview with Superintendent Ted Ahaus, he said the specs will be going out to the contractors. A prebid meeting inviting all the contractors to talk to the architects and take a tour of the buildings will be March 20. Bids will be opened on April 3.

Ahaus said the target date for breaking ground is April 23. The new kindergarten rooms at the elementary school will be completed first and hope to be done by the opening of the 2008-2009 school year. The high school gymnasium is scheduled to be ready in November of 2008.

Other projects include a new “auditoria”, Ag class, new shop area and a dedicated middle school area. The entire project will take until the start of the 2009-2010 school year to complete.

Ahaus said, “The project will be a challenge and everybody will need a lot of patience. But, we’re excited about the project, especially it’s dedication to our junior high kids.” He continued, “The first big issue will be parking, but we are working on that.”