The East Greene board of education has been given opportunities to practice patience at a time when board members are eager to wrap up projects.
Board members at their regular meeting Nov. 18 learned that completion of a drainage project at the East Greene building may be delayed until spring. The playground and the parking area in front of the school are plagued by standing water in the spring and at times of heavy rain. The board has accepted bids on tile work and concrete work to remedy the problem, but removal of some trees was needed. Getting permission to take out trees in the city-owned right of way took longer than expected, delaying the tile work past the contractors’ best window of availability. That project now may be delayed until after the winter months, meaning another spring with a messy playground.
Demolition of parts of the Rippey school building has also become an exercise in patience. Board members are firm in their desire to have the 1920 main building razed before the East Greene board is dissolved next June 30 when the consolidation with Jefferson-Scranton becomes effective.
Asbestos removal is the first step of the demolition, but bids received at Monday’s meeting were all higher than expected. The bid specifications had named a timeframe for the work. The board voted to reject all bids and to request bids again with a longer time allowed to complete the job. Board members hope that the flexibility in scheduling will result in lower bids.
Board members also directed superintendent Tim Christensen to research whether an Iowa Central Community College asbestos removal training program would have students available to work on the project.
The district has funds in reserve to demolish the Rippey building, but board members are reluctant to pay significantly more than expected for the asbestos part of the job.
