Harrisburg High School board approves bonds for renovation project

At Tuesday night's meeting, the Harrisburg High School board approved alternate revenue bonds from Saline County's 1 percent sales tax to be used for a renovation and rebuilding plan.

Minor renovations have already begun as part of the project, which is slated to take about three years to complete, said Harrisburg District Supterintendent Mike Gauch. The project will be paid for by the 1 percent sales tax, a rescheduling of health-life safety bonds and with existing funds.

Approval of a $15 million bond issue referendum was approved in the April 7 local elections. The renovation will include new lighting, desks and multi-media technology in classrooms. The total project cost of the project is $22 million, and will include renovations to the gym.

St. Louis-based company S.M. Wilson and Co. will provide construction manager services for the project. They will work with Kerkhover Architects, an architecture company out of Chester, Illinois.

The board also voted to move forward with a project for a new building at the school's soccer fields that would include a concessions stand, bathrooms and a dressing area. The project was delayed after funds from the state grant funding the building were held up. If the state funding happens to be delayed again, the Soccer Boosters agreed with the board to pay for the remainder of the project.

The budget for the summer food program, which offers meals free of charge for Harrisburg kids, was reapproved. The superintendent said the program received financial backing from the Fowler Bonan Foundation and People's National Bank.

Scott Dewar was renamed principal of the high school for the 2015-16 school year.

The 2015-16 school year was approved. School will begin Monday, August 17<span class="s1">.</span>

The board approved 14 coaching rehires<span class="s1">.</span>