Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Construciton near complete at GPS

The work is almost complete on new classrooms being constructed at Gurdon Primary School.

During the Gurdon School Boards meeting on Tuesday, April 17, Superintendent Bobby Smithson gave an update on the construction progress which is down to the final phases. Ceilings, floor tile, electrical work and the heating and air conditioning should be completed soon.

The bricking of the outside of the building also has to be complete. The bricks are on site, Smithson said, but the contractor has not yet been able to schedule the brick layers.

We should be through by the end of April, Smithson said.

The new addition will house three kindergarten classes, one gifted and talented class and one class for migrant education.

The board will hold its next meeting in the primary school library so that board members can tour the new addition.

Once the new classrooms are completed, Smithson said the district will no longer need the three portable building in use at the primary school. GPS Principal Rita Rowe asked that she be able to keep the newest building to be used as a parent center. The board agreed with this request.

Before the sidewalks from the new addition can be complete, one of the buildings will have to be moved. The board accepted a bid of $2,000 to move the building to another part of campus.

Smithson was also given permission to proceed with the sale of the remaining two buildings.

Also during the meeting, Smithson updated the board on the upcoming special election. The election is being called to seek voter approval to restructure the districts debt in order to build a new auditorium.

The board approved a request from Elaine Halliday of the Gurdon Dixie League Association to use the high school baseball and softball fields during the summer. Smithson said the association has used the fields in the past, however, this year they are asking to use the lights as well to play games at night.

The board agreed to allow the group to use the fields, but will require them to pay for the electricity used by the lights. Smithson will now determine the cost of using the lights and set a fee for the group.

Also during the meeting, the board:

- heard a report on estimated revenues for the 2007-2008 school year;

- heard a report on monies received through the National School Lunch Act;

- approved the school calendar for the 2007-2008 school year;

- approved the employment of certified staff for next year; and

- accepted the resignations of five faculty members.