Projections Show District Auditorium Under Budget

The preliminary budget for the is under budget by less than $2,000.

The auditorium is estimated at $5,998,005—$1,995 short of the the board placed on the project.

Superintendent Eric Knost presented an overview of the budget at the Mehlville school board meeting Thursday. 

“I’m very excited, I think we’re that much closer, I think that this is just further proving we can accomplish this, we can stay within that $6 million that I’m adamant about,” Knost said.

The budget projections are for the on the south side of the Mehlville High School campus.

Knost previously proposed an auditorium , and then planned for a location on the when construction would compromise the historical integrity of Witzel.

After reports of increased cost projections at the north end of the high school, district architects and the superintendent found the south location.

Knost said he did not foresee any red flags with soil testing reports at the new location on the south side of . A formal, written report is due next week. 

Included in the budget is a 10 percent contingency for unanticipated costs, which Knost said the district’s facilities committee recommended.

“So while it looks like the budget creeped up really close to the $6 million, we adjusted it and obviously we’re not considering things like moving utilities and moving sewer lines. We were able to make some adjustments in how we’re approaching it and we’re not only within $6 million, but that also includes that 10 percent contingency,” he said.

The facilities committee, made up of community experts and district administration, will be reviewing the budget at their meeting Wednesday.

Construction on the auditorium is scheduled to begin in the fall with completion by August 2013.

Look for more stories from Thursday’s board meeting, coming soon on Patch:

• The board unanimously approved a solar energy project for five of the district’s buildings at no out-of-pocket cost. 
• The school district received several state recognitions for its character education and positive behavior efforts.