New school taking shape —

Construction of a new alternative high school adjacent to Mabel Rush Elementary is in full swing after concrete contractors completed the foundation and pads. Framing contractor I Cam Construction of Woodburn was hard at work last week.
  
According to a briefing at the Newberg School District board of directors meeting last week, the wave of construction projects sweeping through the district is almost over.
  
Nathan Roedel, the district’s director of finance and operations, reported that small-scale projects have been completed at Dundee, Antonia Crater, Edwards, Ewing Young and Joan Austin elementary schools, as well as at the district office. Chehalem Valley Elementary’s projects are scheduled to end Wednesday, with a round of hydro-seeding and a final inspection.
  
Renovations at the district’s physical plant should end next week, after it receives a new heating unit, doors, insulation and freezer.
  
Larger projects have been completed at Mabel Rush Elementary School and will end Dec. 9 at Mountain View Middle School, when the new wing for the school’s Science Technology Engineering and Math (STEM) program is scheduled for completion.
  
The two big remaining projects, at the high school and the new alternative high school, won’t be finished until spring, Roedel said.
  
At the high school, the outdoor commons area is being expanded and enclosed and connected to the school’s existing buildings. The project will involve knocking down a wall near the cafeteria to open up more space. Recent work there included metal stud and wood framing, as well as mechanical duct work in the roof.
  
On the bright side, the school’s culinary room is ready to be occupied, despite problems ordering equipment.
  
Roedel reported that the high school’s track and field is almost finished, with track striping and hydro-seeding completed last week, leaving the scoreboard’s sound system and one sidewalk to be finished.
 

By: Jill Smith, Newberg Graphic