Demolition in Sheffield!

MANLIUS — Demolition of the former Sheffield school building will be done by Champion Environmental Services of Gilberts, Ill.

The Bureau Valley School Board awarded the $119,000 contract to Champion in a special meeting Aug. 2. There were a total of three bidders for the project.

Superintendent John Bute said the asbestos abatement work is being finished with a target completion date set for Friday. Originally the work was scheduled to be completed by July 30.

Bute said once the asbestos work is completed, demolition will begin shortly thereafter. A target date of Oct. 1 is set for completion of the demolition.

Bute said the district has removed the items it wants or can use, including some aluminum bleachers and water fountains. Yet to be removed are a built-in clock, the capstone and some large concrete pieces near the entrance. Bute said the capstone and concrete pieces will be part of a monument to the school that will be erected on the site after the demolition is completed.

With the upcoming demolition, the board also made some decisions about bus pick-ups in Sheffield. Students are currently picked up at the school, but due to safety concerns about the heavy equipment and broken glass, the board decided to establish four pick-up sites in the community. Bute said no site would be located more than two to three blocks from any student’s home.

Once the demolition is completed, a more permanent solution will be put into place. Bute said the board is pursuing the possibility of building a bus barn or a structure for students to wait for the bus, or possibly both, on the site.

During the last school year, between 110 and 130 students used the school building as a shelter in case of bad weather while waiting for a bus.

In other action, the board also approved hiring high school health teacher Holly English as freshman girls’ volleyball coach.

Comment on this story at www.bcrnews.com.