Work at Princeton High School in last stretch

Asbestos abatement part of project

By: Nick Norlen
   Asbestos abatement in Princeton High School’s renovation — as well as the entire building project — is in the home stretch.
   Change orders approved by the school board Tuesday for the school’s renovation could be among the last, Superintendent Judy Wilson said Wednesday.
    "This was actually, hopefully, the last abatement that had to be done for classrooms," she said.Ms. Wilson said the six-year renovation and construction project is scheduled for completion by the opening of school in September.
   "’07-’08 will be our first year in many without contractors," she said. "We’re very eager to have a learning environment without construction."
   Approximately $6,000 was approved Tuesday for asbestos services by Altchem Environmental Service, bringing the total contract to $325,881.
   Ms. Wilson said change orders are routinely approved when expenses arise mid-project — such as when "you’re taking down a wall and you find out that there’s asbestos."
   Approximately $62,000 was also approved for various work by contractor Ernest Bock & Sons, increasing the total contract amount to $34,711,322.
   According to Ms. Wilson, the projects that need to be completed include renovation of certain classrooms, tennis courts, the technology offices and the main office as well as the removal of all instructional trailers.
   She said the contractors will have less difficulty working when school is not in session because of "fewer restrictions about noise and dust and more access to the greater building."
    She said she’s eager to see the last of the district’s school renovations completed. "We’re in overtime," she said, "so we hope it’s the home stretch."