The school is undergoing renovations this summer, which are included in the district’s $33.9 million safe, warm, dry bond approved by voters in March 2020. The renovations include a new roof, boilers, and a secure entryway and office area.

A new parking lot is also being constructed behind the school where the playground was located. The playground will move to the northeast end of the building.

Rabbideau said while completing drainage work, construction workers came across an unexpected garbage dump underneath the ground as well as some unexpected bedrock and clay that needed to be removed from the site.

“The garbage dump is the biggest concern because if you put a heavy surface over it, all of the material can compact and cause cracks on the surface,” he said. “Everything else has its challenges, but that’s really the most significant one.”

News Photo by Crystal Nelson An excavator on Wednesday loads materials into the bed of a tractor-trailer at the Ella White Elementary School work site.

Rabbideau said Building and Grounds Supervisor Kurt Konieczny told him the additional site work could cost between $20,000 up to $100,000 to complete. He said the work involves removing the garbage and bringing in the appropriate materials.

Rabbideau can now approve financial costs, up to $100,000, for site work related to the unexpected work. Board approval would be needed for any costs over the authorized $100,000.

In addition to the bond work at Ella White, renovations are also underway at Besser, Lincoln, and Wilson schools.