FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, MARCH 19, 2001
Despite the time lost due to the wicked weather in December, construction on the new Cesar Chavez Elementary School is on target. The groundbreaking took place September 5, 2000 and the school is slated to open on Friday, August 24 in time for the 2001-02 school year. Chavez is the first new school in the district since James C. Wright Middle School opened for the 1997-98 school year.
Doug Pearson, director of Building Services, said the school is about 45 percent completed. The district has saved local taxpayers an estimated $110,000 in sales taxes by directly purchasing materials for construction, rather than allowing contractors to purchase materials. By directly purchasing the materials, the district avoids the 5.5% sales tax on the $2 million allocated for brick, steel, electrical, mechanicals and other materials.
Principal Howard Fried, currently an assistant principal at Huegel Elementary, said interviews for potential staff members are taking place now. He added that, outside of hiring staff, the four key elements for equipping a new school are furniture, equipment, instructional materials and technology. Furniture and equipment - including the playground equipment - are being ordered and final determinations are being made on technology. Ordering library materials is underway and new staff will help select instructional materials.
The two-story, K-5 school designed for 650 total students is located at 3502 Maple Grove Drive on the southwest side. Voters overwhelmingly approved the $11 million school in November of 1999.
For more information contact:
Doug Pearson, 221-6260 ext.106
Howard Fried, 273-5880
Joe Quick, 267-3030
Public Information Office
545 W. Dayton St.
Madison, WI 53703
608-266-6270
email: newsrelease@madison.k12.wi.us
Last Modified: 2001-03-19
HTML Editor & Publisher: Chris Burch, cburch@madison.k12.wi.us
webmaster@madison.k12.wi.us