PES OKs modular classrooms
By Donna Barker
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dbarker@bcrnews.com
PRINCETON — The Lincoln Elementary School building should get some more breathing room next year.
At Tuesday’s special meeting, the Princeton Elementary School Board voted unanimously to go ahead with plans to get a 24-foot by 68-foot, two-classroom modular unit, at a cost of about $71,500, for the Lincoln site.
Superintendent Tim Smith will come back to the board at its April 27meeting with more financial details, including whether it’s in the best interest of the district to buy the unit, lease it, or lease to own. The used unit is owned by Jim’s Mobile Offices Classrooms and Offices of Marion.
The money for the unit will come from an annual $115,000 lease fund, which also covers technology leases, Smith said. Whether to buy or lease the Lincoln unit is a cash-flow decision, based on what money is needed in the area of technology leases, he said.
In describing the proposed unit to the board, Smith said the unit is 2 years old, in excellent condition and is currently leased by a Washington Elementary District. The unit is attractive, clean and will fit well with the Lincoln school and site. He and Wayne Barr, PES’ director of buildings and grounds, have walked through the unit, examined it and think the unit will definitely help to meet the space needs at Lincoln.
Smith said the unit would be placed on the east side of the current Lincoln building, which would require moving the current playground further east to the grassy area.
The cost to prepare the Lincoln site for the new unit was estimated by Barr at about $25,000. That work will include the installation of four new connecting doors to the new unit and the construction of a small vestibule between the buildings, as well as moving the playground equipment and the accompanying earth work.
The entire project will not cost taxpayers any more money, Smith said. The site preparation money is available in the budget, and the district will have to downsize and cut purchases in the lease fund, as needed, to provide for the new unit.
The school board is expected to take further action on the modular unit during its April 27 meeting, specifically whether it’s in the best financial interest of the district to buy, lease or lease to own the unit.
After Tuesday’s meeting, Smith said the Lincoln building is cramped for space and has been for quite some time. He will leave it up to the Lincoln administration and staff to determine the best use for those two new rooms. His goal is to have the unit installed and ready for use by August.
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