SCHOOLS TO OPEN ON TIME; CONSTRUCTION DELAYS SHOULDN'T INTERFERE WITH AUG. 26 START

Delays in building renovations and new construction won't cause a delay in the start of school for the Cape Girardeau School District.

Superintendent Dr. Dan Steska said Cape Girardeau schools will open on schedule Aug. 26, despite slow construction on projects at three elementary schools.

"We are going to open schools in all the buildings with the probable exception of Blanchard," he said.

Steska said school administrators receive a monthly progress report from contractors working on construction projects in the district at the beginning of each month.

During a meeting Monday, Sides Construction Co. informed administrators shipping delays had slowed their progress on renovation projects at Alma Schrader and Clippard schools.

Earlier in the summer, the company won separate bids to install air-conditioning systems and construct new cafeterias and classrooms at both schools. The buildings were to be completed by midnight Aug. 20.

Steska said the installation of air conditioning probably will continue for several weeks past the start of school. As in past years, students will be served lunch in gymnasiums until the cafeterias are completed.

"We don't plan to delay school, because in terms of classrooms they will be complete enough to use the buildings," said Steska.

Last month, R.L. Persons Construction Co. told school administrators they expected to complete construction of Blanchard Elementary School by Aug. 31. They did not attend the progress meeting.

"Persons is still saying Aug. 31, but it doesn't appear the building will be ready at that time," Steska said. "We are proceeding with plans to use May Greene and Washington until that building is ready."

Contract stipulations require Sides Construction to repay the school district $500 in liquidated damages for each day beyond the deadline until the jobs are completed.

This amount is $200 more than the amount being paid by R.L. Persons Construction. The company has paid the school district a $300 daily fine for missing its June 30 deadline to complete construction of Blanchard school.

District architect Tom Holshouser said board members required Sides Construction to pay a stiffer penalty "to give more encouragement" to complete the job.