Duneland School Corp. superintendent Dirk Baer thanked the community and school employees for their quick response in dealing with the aftermath of the Aug. 19 tornado that tore a portion of the gymnasium roof off Chesterton Middle School.

Baer estimated damage to the roof alone at $400,000 to $500,000. Other damage to school buildings and grounds is being assessed.

“We had some people really step to the plate in our community,” said Baer, naming town police and fire departments, Berglund Construction for making temporary repairs, NIPSCO for restoration of power and Anton Insurance, the school’s agent.

Baer also singled out Duneland director of special services Mark McKibben and his maintenance staff for their immediate response. “I cannot say enough about our own people.”

The EF2 tornado 60 yards wide packing 120 mph winds halted power to much of the Chesterton area although most sections were restored that night or the next day. Baer said had power been restored sooner, classes wouldn’t have had to be canceled Thursday.

“We missed one day of school and a tornado went through our town. A big thank-you to everybody on behalf of the school corporation,” he added.

In other business Monday, architect Robert Gerometta said Porter County building officials are holding firm on requiring a $50,000 sidewalk be installed in front of the entire campus at two Liberty schools in connection with a $5.2 million addition to the elementary school there.

The same project now will see construction of a new LES playground because relocating the existing equipment would void warranties. The approximate $100,000 playground cost likely will come from the project contingency fund.

According to Gerometta, the 1,400-foot sidewalk will not connect to any existing sidewalks and will go nowhere. The sidewalk will parallel County Road 900N but be a safe distance away from it, said Gerometta. While a 5 foot-wide sidewalk is required, McKibben said the concrete sidewalk probably will be made 6 feet wide so it can be plowed with a school tractor.

Gerometta told the School Board that obtaining a Porter County building permit has increased in complexity significantly but final approval should happen Oct. 14. On a 5-0 vote the board authorized Gerometta to let the construction/renovation project for bid in four categories, those bids also to be received Oct. 14. Construction is anticipated to begin this year with completion in the fall of 2010.

Earlier this month $5.8 million in bonds were sold to finance a 29,050 square-foot addition to LES for kindergarten and first-grade classrooms to be built around a courtyard. The new primary pod will free space for other grades and for new computer labs and other facilities in the existing LES building. The bond amount includes professional fees and other expenses above the actual construction cost.

Gerometta said the project will include extension of a 12-inch water line and a sanitary-sewer connection from Meridian Road. While the water service will feed LES and fire-protection systems for both it and nearby Liberty Intermediate School, full water service for LIS isn’t part of the current project and its well will be retained.