With school out of session for the summer and most of its buildings vacated, the Warren County R-III School District is starting to see the construction process for its $10 million bond project unfold at a rapid rate.“They’re off and rolling, with things really having taken off since school let out,” said Superintendent Dr. Jim Chandler. “That allowed them to move into the buildings earlier in the day and work more aggressively. It makes such a difference when you can see the progress from the outside.”Contractors continue to work on the multipurpose gymnasium at the high school, with the foundation work in the final stages thanks to more favorable weather recently.Chandler anticipates the gym should make its completion date goal of late October or early November so it can be utilized by the winter sports teams.“They’re on track there, and as long as the weather continues to cooperate, they should be fine,” said Chandler. “A big part of that was having the dry conditions to complete that groundwork.”Crews have also moved inside the high school to intensify work on updating the HVAC system after having gotten started by working after school hours the past few months.“They were able to get a jump start working around the times students were there, and now they are in there working full force,” said Chandler.At Daniel Boone Elementary, work on the new main entrance and security vestibule continues to take place. Rebecca Boone Elementary also is receiving HVAC upgrades and work on its new entrance is underway as well.In addition, Black Hawk Middle School is receiving a new entrance way as part of the security upgrades.“With summer school being housed at Warrior Ridge, that allows them to get into the other buildings without disturbing students or staff,” said Chandler.Warrior Ridge is set to get the most minimal changes of the project.Crews are also currently working on the second phase of the new bus parking surface at the R-III Transportation Department building. The initial section was completed in April but required a 28-day setting period before busses could be parked on it.“We feel good about the pace we’re in and are really starting to see progress,” said Chandler.

Construction crews work on installing a new parking lot surface at the Warren County R-III Transportion Department last week. One section has already been completed, as the project unfolds in phases to allow the surface time to set before it is secure for bus parking. Record photo/Derrick Forsythe.