The new Fort Riley Elementary School construction is on budget and on time.

That information is being provided by Dr. Corbin Witt, Geary USD 475 Superintendent of Schools.  He said the new school should open Aug. 17 with a capacity of 500 students. “At this time our occupancy date is July 22. It will be available for staff Aug. 3 and then the students on Aug. 17.

Witt noted the project should be on time, but there is no extra time right now. “Because of the force protection, the rain and storms, and then some other unforseen circumstances with building on a former area where there were some unexploded ordnance, we’ve gotten a little behind. Right now they should be on track but we don’t have any extra time.”

The unexploded ordinance was removed. “We closed down and went through and had the entire area cleared. ” A fence was also erected to seal off that area.  “And so we have cleared the entire school area, nothing to worry about now.”

At the present time work on the project includes top coating of the parking lot and all the furniture arrives next week.  Work is also under way on the media center, gym floors, internet, fire alarms, telephone, and playground installation.

Witt noted there will be some final cleanup work to be finished when school begins. “Probably we’ll not be at the spic and span, pretty as we’d like it to be stage because we’re going to be moving in right when they’re completing. But it’ll be in great shape for kids and we’ll be ready to roll.”

The new school costs $22 million with the federal government funding 80 percent of the cost and the state of Kansas the remaining 20 percent.

A ribbon cutting for the new school has been scheduled Oct. 9 at 10 a.m.