LEONARD GRAY

PHOTO: Carpenters work at the St. Rose Elementary School site in an effort to complete the project on time. (Staff Photo by Leonard Gray) ST. ROSE – With slightly less than 100 workdays accomplished on the new St. Rose Elementary School, contractor Nick Candiotto of Frank Anzelone Construction said delays remain slight and could be made up, given good weather. Candiotto said the 455-day construction contract is for a two-story classroom building, also containing a library, cafeteria and administration offices, and should be complete by mid-July 2002. This will replace the current 1970-era St. Rose Elementary, which was never intended as a permanent replacement for the preceding school that burned down in the late 1960s. The current building does have a more recent wing which will be kept s part of the new school and house music education and gifted academic courses. In addition, should the Oct. 20 bond issue meet voter approval, a second two-story classroom building will be scheduled for construction, according to Candiotto. Larry Sesser, executive director for physical plant activities, said the contractor has been struggling as well with foundation problem, aggravated by rain. “I didn’t expect to need SCUBA gear,” Candiotto added. As of this point, utilities are being installed but the foundation slab has yet to be poured. Another feature will be moving the school back from River Road, building a second driveway and fencing off a schoolyard area in front of the building. The total contract price for the new school is $5,221,600, according to Sesser. However, the second new classroom building is awaiting voter approval of the bond issue. “We could start when we’re moving into the Phase One building,” Sesser said.