WALHALLA — The school district’s director of maintenance services told the School District of Oconee County Board of Trustees on Tuesday night he is hopeful the new Blue Ridge Elementary School and renovated areas of Northside Elementary School will open on time.

But Richard Alexander said there is a 75 percent chance that Blue Ridge Elementary will open in August as scheduled, adding that such a time frame is “very tight.”

“I can’t tell you at this point in time if we’re going to make it or not, but there’s a chance of making it by the time school starts,” Alexander said.

Board Chairman Andy Inabinet then inquired as to whether construction crews are working overtime in order to expedite the project.

“I’m sure they’re doing a good job, but we’ve got a school to open,” Inabinet said. “This will make it difficult for staff if they have to open it (new school) in September or October.”

Alexander said the district is getting “good value” with the construction work, and that he is pleased with the progress being made. He added that brick masons were the only trade workers who weren’t able to work at the site during the recent extreme cold weather conditions since warmer temperatures are required to lay brick.

“I wish I could paint a brighter picture for you,” Alexander said.

The maintenance services director said the roof trusses and deck for Blue Ridge are set, masonry work is progressing well on one wing and, on the interior, heating, ventilation and cooling, plumbing and electrical work are progressing. In the kitchen and lunchroom areas, Alexander said the slab is in place and masonry work in

progress.

In the miniature gym, Alexander said the slab has been completed and that masonry is in progress, while the media center has roof trusses set and interior ceiling details in progress.

Alexander said the front entrance and media center features masonry, roof trusses, roof deck, plumbing and electrical work that are in various stages. The kindergarten and first- and second-grade wings feature roof trusses that are ready to be set.

“There is plenty of work taking place at the same time,” he said.

Alexander said windows will be installed at Blue Ridge Elementary during the next two to three weeks. He added that 50 percent of the entire building will feature a roof deck “within the next week or so.”

While Alexander expressed uncertainty as to the opening of Blue Ridge Elementary, he was less optimistic about Northside Elementary.

“Having a school in operation there while we’re building is a definite disadvantage to the builder,” Alexander said. “They are beginning to make a good showing, and I have a good schedule to get us there on time but, whether they meet it, is debatable.”

Alexander said the wing and miniature gym includes brick work in progress and roof trusses that are being set. The pad for classrooms has not been poured at this time.

In the wing and kitchen area, Alexander said the kitchen pad is set for pouring, while masonry work and steel support beams are in progress. The kindergarten wing features roof trusses and a deck in place, brick work that is nearly complete and, interior wise, plumbing, heating, ventilation and cooling and fire protection systems in progress.

As far as the kindergarten wing is concerned, Alexander said he feels fairly confident the work can be completed prior to the opening of the 2009-10 school year. He added that contingency plans have been made to have the kindergarten wing undergo a fire inspection.

“We feel very good about being able to occupy most of that building,” he said.

Alexander commended Northside Elementary School officials for the manner in which they have responded to what has been a very difficult school year. Northside has transported physical education students by bus to Gignilliat Gym and worked with Seneca High School to transport school lunches prepared there back to the elementary school.