Project Updates Since October 14th

The following information is made available courtesy of the Independence Community School District and prepared by Superintendent Jean Peterson and Board Members Brian Eddy and Eric Smith.

• October 15, 2011
  HSR, under the direction of the District, solicited several bids for Soil Conductivity Test Wells for evaluation of a potential geo-thermal well field design. This report will be useful in determining the size, type, and cost of the well field design. The bids are due back by the end of this week. The soil conductivity tests are necessary to determine if the building site can support the heating and cooling needs of a school building our size.
  
  
• October 17, 2011
  The current farm tenant chisel plowed the 92 acre site after harvest of their crops. Although not required to do so, the tenant invested their time and costs into chisel plowing to make any remaining portion of the land more suitable for crop production in 2012. The tenant obtained the District’s permission prior to chisel plowing the land. The portion of the 92 acres not developed will be farmed in 2012.
  
  
• October 24, 2011
  The Board of Education approved the selection of Terracon bid for the Geo-Technical Engineering Report at $11,900. Within the 5-7 working days, Terracon anticipates being on the 92 acres to drill for soil samples. 34 boring will be performed within or near the proposed building footprint near Iowa Avenue. 27 borings will be performed within areas of the proposed parking lots and drives. The borings will extend up to 20 feet below existing grades. HSR anticipates providing a detailed soil sample report by the end of November 2011.
  
  
• October 24, 2011
  Brad Simonson from HSR attended the Board of Education meeting and provided an update to the Board and public on the status of the project. By early next week, HSR intends to provide updated floor plans for District Representatives to review. District Representatives will then meet with staff to share the updated floor plans.

The District continues to research options and solutions for the ICN (Iowa Communications Network) room located in the existing Junior – Senior High School. The room is the hub of many communication lines in Buchanan County. Finding a solution to keep the ICN room located at the existing site would be a cost savings for all communication entities involved, as well as the school district. The new school building will have an ICN classroom to provide our students with distance learning access. The ICN “hub” room has a completely different purpose and function from the ICN classroom.