By SUSAN RUMBLE

Special to The Press

Bids totaling $8,444,863 for the Kratzer Elementary School’s 20,000-square-foot addition and interior renovation project were approved by the Parkland School Board at the Feb. 15 meeting.

Contracts were awarded to Albarell for electrical work at $1,195,000; Duggan and Marcon for metal stud and dry wall at $1,596,820; Empire for earthwork at $1,458,700; Szoke Brothers for structural steel at $576,500; JBM Mechanical for HVAC at $769,000; Vision Mechanical for plumbing at $442,365; Witmer for masonry at $434,035; NEIS for casework at $407,000; Alan Kunsman for roofing at $425,280; and Panzitta for concrete at $338,000.

Other contracts include Hutts Glass, $299,700 for curtain wall and glazing; Metro, for flooring at $192,725; Sean Byrne, for ceramic and paver tile at $127,450; SA Comunale, for fire protection at $109,988; and Dectis, for painting at $72,300.

Board member Jarrett Coleman voted no on the bids.

Eight classrooms for fourth and fifth grades, a media center, office, TV studio, learning support center, and a small instruction room have been designed by KCBA architects for the new wing.

The existing library will be transformed into classroom and support spaces.

There will also be various renovations in the present building including new ceilings, flooring, and paint in the kindergarten rooms, music room, and a third grade room.

Two toilet rooms will be added for kindergartners.

A portion of the building which was upgraded several years ago is still in good condition.

When the Kratzer expansion was in the early planning stages a year ago, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Rodney Troutman said the addition is necessary for two reasons: natural growth and the nearby Ridge Farm proposed development which includes about 800 dwelling units.

Troutman said Kratzer has been receiving an annual increase of students as older residents relocate and young families move in.

Timeline for the project lists site work to start in April and building pad excavation in May.

The concrete slab, steel erection, exterior brick, roofing, and courtyard are all planned to be accomplished during the summer of 2022.

Building enclosure should be complete by October, followed by interior construction and finishing, then renovation of existing spaces.

The building should be ready for the first day of school in August 2023.