Red Rock Elementary construction behind schedule

By RACHAL PINKERTON

Staff Writer

ROYAL CITY - Red Rock Elementary School construction is approximately three weeks behind schedule was the report during a regular meeting of the Royal School Board on Monday, July 29. The meeting was rescheduled from July 22 due to a lack of a quorum.

“Last week they told me that they are three weeks behind,” said Dolly Ramminger. “We are supposed to be getting an updated schedule next week.”

Drywalling has begun on the gymnasium at the school.

“We’ve told them there isn’t an alternate plan,” Ramminger said. “We’re pushing them to get things done. Phase two is looking really good. It’s on budget. That’s the good news. They are trying, not just slacking.”

The slow down occurred during the demolition due to a lack of manpower.

“They brought in eight more guys,” said Ramminger. “Then demolition was cruising along.”

Ramminger said that they are trying to get the construction workers and electricians to work overtime to get the building done before the start of the new school year. Superintendent Roger Trail said he thought that, even if there was some work left to be done on the building, school would start as normal.

“Most of that is contingent on finishing up phase two,” said Trail.

In business, the board approved the 2019-2020 budget during the meeting. Royal School District Business Manager Greg Pike told the board that every dollar goes into and is spent out of five different funds - general fund, capital projects fund, debt service fund, associated student body fund and transportation vehicle fund.

“We do try to keep a conservative approach to our budgeting process,” said Pike.

The district uses the historical averages of the different grade levels to project student enrollment. For the upcoming school year, they are making a conservative estimate of 1,699 students. Over the past ten years, enrollment has gone up 235 students, with a seven student drop from the past school year.

Rachal Pinkerton may be reached via email at rpinkerton@suntribunenews.com