Construction costs for Cabarrus County's two newest schools are well under budget, but the savings are unlikely to translate into more money for the schools.[2]
Snow is expected continue through the nighttime hours, ending by 1 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. In our area, snow accumulations of three to five inches are possible. [1]
Cox Mill High School, scheduled to open in August, is more than $5million under budget. The new Hickory Ridge Middle School, planned to open in 2010, is already more than $500,000 under its projected cost.[2]
Tonight's low temperature is expected to be in the mid-20s. Temperatures tomorrow aren't expected to go far above freezing.[1]
Sam Masters, construction director for the Cabarrus County Schools, said building conditions are unlike any he has seen in 20 years in the business.[2]
The N.C. Department of Transportation is already preparing for the winter weather. Trucks were spraying salt solution onto Interstate 85 earlier this afternoon.[1]
The county paid less than $400,000 to grade the land for Hickory Ridge Middle. It originally budgeted more than $900,000. Masters said the county had more than 20 bidders for that project. Most projects have fewer than 10. But the favorable conditions won't move up construction of more schools, he said. The school system has five major projects coming up, but bids for those projects are not expected until March or April.[2]
As of 5 p.m., no information on closings or delays had been released by the Rowan-Salisbury School System, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Kannapolis City Schools or Cabarrus County Schools.[1]
Two new elementary schools are scheduled to open in 2010, but grading has not begun on those sites. Classroom additions for Furr Elementary and Boger Elementary also are planned, along with a new northwestern middle school.[2]
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[1]Low Building Costs are economy's silver lining
[2]Salisburypost.com
