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Rebid might delay elementary school

Bids for steel and concrete came in high for Hilda T. Turner Elementary School.

By RODNEY THRASH
Published January 30, 2005

NEW TAMPA - The new elementary school in Live Oak Preserve has a name and a principal. What it doesn't have is a firm opening date.

"It's a possibility that we may have a delay" in the opening of Hilda T. Turner Elementary School, said MaryEllen Elia, chief facilities officer for Hillsborough schools.

The school was slated to open in August. Now, Elia said, the district isn't so sure.

Bids for steel and concrete came in "substantially higher than we budgeted," she said. "At least 20 percent higher."

So the district must rebid, a process that could take up to two weeks, Elia said.

"If the prices had not gone so much higher, we would not have to rebid (and) we would be further ahead in purchasing all the material to begin construction," she said.

Elia said crews are on the construction site, but "I'll be honest, we wish we were further along in the process."

Despite a possible delay, the Hillsborough School Board named Donna Ares principal at its Jan. 18 meeting. Ares, the current principal of Hunter's Green Elementary, said last week that if there is a delay in Turner's opening, "that won't impact my ability to get students together or select mascots or school colors or establish the PTA. We'll do that this spring at the Clark (Elementary) site."

But it could have implications for two other New Tampa elementaries, Clark and Hunter's Green. With an additional elementary school, Clark will lose more than 380 students, bringing the West Meadows school under capacity. Hunter's Green Elementary, which will add the Meadowood and Creekside subdivisions to its attendance zone, will gain nearly 80 additional students.

If Turner Elementary does not open on time, the district will have to make arrangements for the 738 students expected to enroll there in August.

In the past, the Hillsborough County School District has housed students, on an interim basis, at another campus, said Tom Blackwell, the general manager of construction.

Elia said officials have not thought that far ahead.

"We will come up with a plan and inform all the parents that will be affected," she said.

But Elia said she hopes the district won't be put in that position.

"We're working diligently to keep with our initial schedule," she said. "If everything goes perfect after we clear these other issues, we'll be fine."

Rodney Thrash can be reached at 813 269-5313 or rthrash@sptimes.com

Hilda T. Turner Elementary School will draw students from this attendance zone: Bruce B. Downs Boulevard to the west, County Line Road to the north and the Kinnan Street extension to the east.

[Last modified January 29, 2005, 09:18:06]