There are no guarantees, but public school officials in Northwood, N.D., are preparing to have a new school ready for students by start of the 2009-10 school year.
The town's school was destroyed by a tornado in August, causing students to be shifted to the nearby Hatton Public School.
School Board members decided Tuesday to recruit school staff and area residents to help select a site and plan a design for the new facility, Superintendent Kevin Coles said.
"I've heard people talking about sites by the city park and sites out by the highway," Coles said. "That's all stuff that will funnel into the building committee."
Board members are expected to name the committee at a special meeting Monday.
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The decision to build a new school hinges on the amount the district receives in an insurance settlement, Coles said. Insurance representatives are expected to respond to the districts claim within the next three weeks, he said.
Despite the uncertainty, the district is moving forward with plans to build new in order to meet timelines required to open the facility for the 2009-10 school year, Coles said.
"If were going to be in a new building by Aug. 9 (2009), we have to start this process," he said.
Damages to the tornado-ravaged school were estimated at $8.9 million, topping its $8.3 million insured value, Coles said.
More information
- People interested in joining the committee should contact Superintendent Kevin Coles at the Hatton School at (701) 543-3455
The Grand Forks Herald and The Forum are both owned by Forum Communications Co. Northwood sets new school target 20071017
