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Chillicothe schools proceed on schedule

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CHILLICOTHE - Chillicothe City Schools Superintendent Jon Saxton believes there's a chance that by the time school starts for the year, the first signs of the brick exterior on two new elementary campuses may make an appearance.

During a recent meeting of the district's Board of Education, Saxton provided the board with a construction update on the project being co-funded between the district and the Ohio Facilities Construction Commission.

As of late last week, most of the footers had been poured at the grades K through 2 building, with much of the focus thus far on the part of the property closest to Westmoreland Place that will eventually become the classroom wing of the structure. Attention will then be shifted to the administration portion of the building and the gymnasium and cafeteria areas.

In the grades 3 through 6 building, Saxton said contractors were starting to dig the locations where footers will be poured in preparation for what will come next.

"You're probably going to see brick at both sites hopefully sometime before school starts," he said, adding that the work is proceeding on schedule.

Board President Steve Mullins asked that beginning with the board's August meeting, he would like to have the architect or construction manager attend meetings to provide regular updates on the progress and to discuss any potential changes as the buildings start to take shape.

The board has decided to take up the question of naming the new buildings at future meetings.

In another district construction update, Saxton said the paving of the parking lot at Mount Logan Elementary is done and is large enough to have created several additional parking spaces, particularly with how the lot was to be striped.

"That also benefits our library customers after hours when the (Chillicothe and Ross County Public) library satellite is open, so they'll be able to park right up against the building for handicap spaces not very far at all from the library satellite," Saxton said.

- Chris Balusik, Chillicothe Gazette