The Dolores School district has released a brochure for a self-guided tour of the campus upgrade.
"We felt the public deserved a more detailed look at the project they helped pay for," said Superintendent Scott Cooper. "They can pick up a brochure and watch the progress themselves."
Key features of the rebuild are a new science/ag building, completely remodeled lockerrooms, and an addition to the elementary school.
The new science building will include two science classrooms, two math classrooms, one VoAg classroom and a shop. It's projected completion is Jan. 16, 2015.
Key features for the elementary addition include five new classrooms, and a secure, covered transition between the elementary school and the commons building. Projected completion date is Sept. 29, 2014.
Also the locker rooms are undergoing a major overhaul. The upgrade includes new showers, lockers and bathrooms, and is expected for completion by July 22, 2014.
Funding from the $6.9 million project came from three sources. The Building Excellent Schools Today (BEST) grant paid for $2.67 million or 43 percent of the project. The Dolores community passed a bond of $3.47 million covering more than half of the remaining costs. And the Dolores School District kicked in $750,000 from its reserves.
"The project is on time and on budget," Cooper said. "It is about halfway completed."
Brochures are available on-line at http://doloresschools.org/ or at the school administration office.
The district has applied for a $1 million supplemental BEST grant and will be notified early this summer if the funding is awarded. The money would be spent on a gym roof replacement, security entrances into all schools, and for replacing 16 exterior doors.
"If approved, the construction crew is already on site and ready to go, so it all gets done at once," Cooper said.
