Weston School is still on target for a July 2015 re-opening date.

But in order for that to happen, the kindergarten- through- eighth- grade campus of the Ripon Unified School District will need reconstruction on the voter-approved Measure G project to begin in the summer.

Talks have already begun on Colony Oak, which is the other half of the $25.2 million bond measure. 

“But we’re not on the design phase yet,” said Khushroo Gheyara, chief executive officer for Program Management Integration.

Like Weston, the school board voted Monday in favor of Escalon general contractor CT Brayton Construction to handle the pre-construction services for Colony Oak. 

“We took on the same action with Weston,” Gheyara said.

Plans at Weston are currently under review by the Division of State Architects.

On top of that, funding might be made available soon, Gheyara said.

He told the board that the Legislature is looking to place a statewide Facilities Bond on the November ballot. If that’s so, he believes Ripon Unified could be eligible for state funding.

“Allocations are expected for new construction, charter schools and modernization (projects),” he said.

Don Gatti, who is the chair for the Measure ‘G’ Committee, added that his group has reviewed the financial report. 

“It’s clean,” he said of the recent audit properly accounted for all of the expenses and expenditures.

In addition, Gatti’s group could soon have its own citizen oversight committee website up and running for those interested in construction updates taking place at Weston.

The budget for reconstruction at Weston is estimated at $10.1 million. With it is $300,000 serving as a contingency fund. “If not utilized, available funds could be used at the school site following the conclusion of construction,” Gheyara said.

According to the PMI timeline, the DSA review of the Weston plans could be completed by next month, with bidding expected by May and reconstruction targeted for late May or June.