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Last summer the district had major renovations and additions made to North Branch High School.

At Monday's regular meeting of the North Branch Area Schools Board of Education, Keith Hammis of R.C. Hendrick gave an update of the district's construction. He started by discussing renovations taking place at Ruth Fox.

"Work at Ruth Fox should be substantially complete by Sept. 1. The state fire marshal is going through this week," he said.

Hammis said wax will be applied to floors at the school this week and vertical units will be finished, in addition to doors and frames, as well as masonry. Drywall is being completed in the superintendent's office.

"We have 100 people working and it looks like a chaos center," Hammis said and added the hardest part is keeping the area clean.

Workers expect to install kitchen equipment the first week of August. "Trailers will be gone for the start of school and the boiler system will be ready for the heating system, plus 98% of floors are getting re-done," Hammis said.

North Branch Schools business manager Cheryl Bruff noted the district is putting $6 million worth of renovations into Ruth Fox that will include a new cafetorium, a new kitchen, restrooms, painting, flooring, and relocation of the building's offices to the front of the building.

"I think we have a lot to be proud of," Bruff said.

Meanwhile, Hammis reminded the board construction of the new elementary school had to contend with a four-month delay in getting the building permit. The new elementary has a price tag of $20 million and is being built on a 46-acre parcel at Elm Creek and Jefferson roads. The school is expected to house 900-1,000 students.

"The biggest problem is fighting humidity. We have to get the humidity out of the gym," Hammis said about the new school being built. "The drive, curb, and gutter is done. The sprinkling system won't be turned on for another month."

North Branch School Superintendent Al Piwinski said the idea is to put a walking trail leading from the new elementary school to other buildings in the district. Piwinski added the district is seeking a grant for such a project.

Bruff added next summer the district will tackle renovations at North Branch Elementary and build a new bus garage with funding also secured from the bond issue.

Jennifer Decker can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8125 or jennifer.decker@lapeergroup.com.