CHERRY TWP — Having received final approval from the state Department of Education, the Moniteau School Board is prepared to begin construction on its junior-senior high school renovation and addition project.

The board approved its list of contractors for the project during its June meeting, contingent upon the education department's approval of bid specifications and cost estimates.

Without discussion, Monday's motion for final approval of the contracts passed, 6-2, with board members Deborah Bowser and Bill Smith voting against the motion. Board member William Fleming was absent from the meeting.

June estimates for the project totaled nearly $13.6 million with alternate projects and a new sewage treatment plant bringing the total to $14.8 million.

District business manager John D'Amore told board members in June that the current total, which exceeds an earlier estimate of $12.4 million, was in large part due to increased costs for plumbing and electrical work.

To cover the additional costs, D'Amore said, the board may consider raising taxes by 1 mill per year during a three-year period, to avoid a larger tax increase in one year.

A mill is equal to $1 for every $1,000 of a property's assessed value.

Superintendent Trudy Peterman said the district would begin signing construction contracts today, and that construction could begin immediately.