Haluska provides update on high school renovation

Superintendent Mike Haluska told the Decorah Community School Board Monday night that heavy equipment should be moving on site in the very near future for the high school renovation project. Asbestos abatement in tunnels has been completed, allowing for some delayed plumbing work to be completed. The abatement will now involve some floor removal a year ahead of original plans, facilitating work for Larson Construction.

The classroom reconfigurations on second floor are progressing well.  Work will soon begin on the gym/locker room addition, the fitness addition, the entrance to the administrative areas, and the new wood shop.  The board will tour construction work before their next meeting on July 11.

Haluska said that the final stage of financing the nearly $22 million project will start to shape up shortly after his meeting with financing consultants in the next few weeks. About $7.5 million will be involved in the next stage of bonding, but those bids will probably not happen until August. Initial reports, at least for the present, suggest a good bond market.