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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer 8:59 AM Thursday, December 10, 2009

BEAVERCREEK — Construction of two new schools are mired in land negotiations, but renovations to buildings throughout the district are under way and under budget.

School district officials plan to spend $27.4 million of the $84 million tax issues approved by voters in November 2008 to improve the eight existing facilities.

New roofs, heating and air-conditioning systems, windows and other improvements are either planned or already under way. Business manager Gary Sattler said he believes the district is about 20 percent complete with districtwide renovations that began this summer.

“We’ve gotten a good start on the renovations, and so far it is on time and under budget,” Sattler said.

Already completed is an overhaul of the high school gymnasium, where the floor and lighting were completely replaced. Roof repairs at the high school, Ferguson and Ankeney middle schools are also completed.

“This summer will be the true test,” Sattler said. “We’ll have multiple complex projects going on,” including installing new heating and air-conditioning systems in Ferguson Middle and Valley and Shaw elementary schools.

Most of the renovations will should be completed by the 2011-12 year, but some projects could have to wait until the new elementary and middle schools are constructed, Sattler said. That work is on hold until school officials finalize deals for the land where the schools are to be built.

Superintendent Gale Mabry, who joined the district as the renovations were starting, said the work has not impacted students so far.

“They’ve done a lot of work, and they did a very good job,” he said. “We are doing anything we can not to interfere with instruction.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@DaytonDailyNews.com.

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