Gibraltar Uses Interest Income to Broaden Construction Scope

Paige Steed from Plunkett Raysich Architects conducted a drive-through video within Gibraltar school drawings on March 11. Photo by Craig Sterrett.

Interest income on the $29.8 million building referendum approved a year ago by Gibraltar school district voters has been so good that the school board has expanded the scope of the project, the school board learned on March 11.

During the annual meeting in fall 2023, Gibraltar schools superintendent Brett Stousland noted that some additional repairs and improvements could be added to the project due to interest collected while awaiting the start of construction this spring and summer without affecting the tax levy.

The district conservatively identified an additional $2.6-$2.8 million in interest income, and on Feb. 26, the board voted to use $1 million to pay down principal, thereby saving $400,000 in interest payments. Meanwhile, CG Schmidt and design partner Plunkett Raysich Architects (PRA) will increase the electrical service size to allow for future expansion at the elementary school and high school; demolish and reconstruct elementary school bathrooms; and revamp failing sanitary systems, CG Schmidt project manager Tim Bickert said. Bickert said the voter-approved $29.8 million will allow for $32.4 million in improvements.

Added to the project are a remodeled courtyard next to a new science classroom, and enlarged multipurpose spaces designed to alleviate scheduling hurdles and overcrowding. New plans also extend locker and changing room spaces, and re-envision bus and parent drop-off points to support student safety and traffic flow.

Bickert said CG Schmidt is seeking local subcontractors and materials, such as stone for the front of the addition.

With just two spectators in the audience March 11 and a few watching remotely, Paige Steed from PRA led a live “drive-through video,” steering her way through drawings for the exterior and interior of the new school. Her live video-game-style demonstration showed the gymnasium, front commons, interior classroom additions, centralized offices and other locations scheduled for construction in 2025, as well the two-story rear classroom addition, and interior kitchen, team-room and boiler-room spaces scheduled for construction this summer.