With the planning process for the Lake Forest High School Performing Arts and Athletics additions nearly complete, the project’s architect reported that estimated costs put the project 11% under budget.
  
  The school system budgeted more than $7.8 million for the new auditorium and gym space, but construction is now expected to cost approximately $6.9 million.

    Bob Grove, of R.G. Architects, told the Lake Forest Board of Education at its Nov. 13 meeting that the favorable estimates are reflective of a “good bid environment” and the result of careful planning.
 
   Grove said that even though the project has been expanded to include new sprinkler systems and sewer lines, it won’t break the bank.
 
   “The current sprinkler system that’s installed is no longer adequate to meet the current codes and there’s no way for us to expand the current system to the new addition,” he said. “It’s not a very big additional item, it will affect the budget a bit, but it won’t take us anywhere close.”
 
   Grove also reported the planning and documentation process is 95% finished. Within the next few weeks, final plans will be submitted to the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control and Kent County for recordation, he said.
 
   A tentative project schedule has bids due by Jan. 22, but that could change depending upon how timely bidders are with their submissions.
 
   “They don’t usually like to work on bids over Christmas for some reason,” said Robert Hart, Lake Forest’s supervisor of building and grounds.
 
   Site preparation is scheduled to begin in March and the project is slated for completion in spring 2010, Grove said.

Science and social studies
DSTP scores announced

    Lake Forest students beat the state average scores on the science portion of the Delaware Student Testing Program at all levels in 2008, but scores on the social studies potion of the test fell in most grade levels and came in below state averages in fourth and 11th grades.

    Edward Cutler, Lake Forest’s administrator in charge of monitoring test scores and student achievement, said the good science scores were the product of solid curriculum development in all grades, especially the elementary schools.
 
   Cutler said the curriculum has been closely aligned with state standards and he expects scores to continue to rise.

    Efforts to bring the social studies curriculum into alignment with the standards are ongoing, he said.
 
   “If you take a look at our last couple years … it is what it is,” he said. “We’re on track and we’re working hard and we’re going to try to improve these scores.”
 
   Lake Forest’s Administrative Assistant for Curriculum J. Glenn Davidson said that this year’s social studies test was structured differently than previous tests, which could have affected scores.
 
   “There was a lot of geography on the test, and our teachers didn’t necessarily teach a lot of geography,” he said.

    Davidson further said since social studies encompasses such a large set of skills and knowledge, it can be hard for the school system to decide what subjects should be emphasized.
In other business…
 
   • The board voted to waive a requirement that establishes a 22-to-1 student-teacher ratio in kindergarten through third grade. Lake Forest Personnel Director Dr. Tammy Croce said that most elementary classes meet the ratio, but there are a few classes that exceed it slightly. Those classes, she said, will likely be in line with the ratio soon, but the waiver allows the school system some flexibility in sorting out the issue.
 
   • The board approved two 2009 field trips for Lake Forest High School students to events at Walt Disney World in Florida.

    The Lake Forest Cross Country team will attend the Walt Disney World Cross Country Classic in October and the Lake Forest band will travel to a competition in March.

Email Doug Denison at doug.denison@doverpost.com