Bigfork Elementary School work under way

Bigfork Eagle

The Bigfork Elementary School trustees voted last Wednesday to go ahead and sell the elementary school bond next month. The bond sale is the latest step taken by the district since the issue passed muster with voters last fall.

The district chose local contractor Hammerquist & Casalegno to act as construction manager on the renovation and addition project at the elementary school and Architects West of Couer d'Alene, Idaho as the architect. Bigfork School District Superintendent Russ Kinzer said the design process is already well under way.

"We're going ahead with the schematic design of the building and classrooms," Kinzer said.

The preliminary drawings shown to the public leading up to the election are now being expanded upon and having details filled in to optimize classroom space for instruction and office space for maximum supervision and privacy depending on the need. Kinzer said the cafeteria designs were also being fine-tuned.

Work on the elementary school is slated to begin as soon as the weather permits and Kinzer said he expects the cafeteria and most of the site upgrades — including revamped parking and drop-off areas — will be completed by the time school starts back in the fall.

"We have to have a functional cafeteria when school starts," he said.

Kinzer said the project is on the fast track to get done as soon as possible and that the district is taking input from staff and communicating with the architect and construction manager on an almost daily basis.