Knoch construction won’t affect first day of school
JEFFERSON TWP — Students and families in the Knoch School District can expect the first day of school at Knoch High School to go on as planned, with no impacts from construction.
At a school board meeting Wednesday, superintendent David Foley said the first day of school, which the district’s website lists as Aug. 21, will not be pushed back.
Foley said cleanup of several rooms and areas should be complete by Wednesday, Aug. 14. The entire $39 million project, which includes a new addition to the high school, is expected to be complete by summer 2025.
As John Pappas of Eckles Construction presented updates to board directors, he noted the ceilings and floors of certain classrooms have been installed and the walls are set to be painted. The rooms will be clean by Tuesday or Wednesday of next week, he said.
“We’re really close to being done,” he said.
Pappas said Hudson Construction, the general contractor, has finished the interior wall framing inside the second floor restrooms and large group instruction space. Drywall has been installed inside the second floor LGI space, restrooms and classrooms. The second floor classrooms and LGI space have also been painted.
Wednesday, the board also discussed the delayed renovation of the track that encircles the athletic field. Pappas said the track, which was initially expected to be complete by late July, now won’t be compete until Aug. 19 or Aug. 20. Heavy rain and wind could potentially affect the project, which involves painting the track blue.
Wednesday evening, the board also discussed several change orders requested by Pappas, including the installation of a fiber line and changes to better define the boundary between the road and sidewalk. The change orders which will be further discussed and approved at the board’s regular meeting on Aug. 14.
According to Pappas, change orders pending approval this month total $49,271. Change orders approved as of July 2024 amount to $288,823. The remaining contingency totals $895,200.
