IMost of Edison’s June accomplishments involve the new elementary building.  We officially broke ground on the last day of school, May 23.  If you’ve passed the school during the month of June, you’ve seen the amazing progress on the construction.  All of the foundation footers are poured.  While that was being done, the carpenters fabricated the framing.  Once the footers were dry and the backfill of dirt was completed, the framing went up in less than a week.  The drillers completed sixteen 300 foot wells to serve as the basis of the geothermal heating and cooling system.  On June 30 workers started to put the trusses on the building.  Underground plumbing is being completed this week.  The trusses are about a week behind because the engineers had to make sure that they are strong enough to support the protective sprinkler system.  We were notified in May that the building would have to have a sprinkler system and the water system to support it.  While this system is not required by code, the state Fire Safety Division decided that we would need a sprinkler system to provide a safer environment in light of the water shortage at Edison.  We will be adding an additional 10,000 gallon cistern and possibly drill for a new well to support the sprinklers.  Since this system was not projected last year, the current $2 million grant and $450,000 bond will not support it’s nearly $100,000 cost.  I will be seeking additional grant funding to cover this new requirement.  I invite you to drive by Edison and see the progress being made, although I ask you to stay away from the construction area for safety reasons.  If anyone wants to look at the site, please come by and I’d be glad to give you a tour.  Both the School Board and I are very happy with the progress being made.