The only thing left to worry about in the Carbondale Area High School renovation project is the time frame for state reimbursement.
The final touches on the $15 million project are wrapping up, but acting Superintendent David Cerra, who is also the district's business manager, worries that there could be delays in receiving the approximately 35 percent of that amount - nearly $5 million.
"We're all on edge with that, because that's a substantial revenue item for us; any school district doing a building project, that's huge," Mr. Cerra said.
Despite reservations about state reimbursement, he said the project has received positive reviews.
The major work has been done, but a few minor items remain, including finishing the terrazzo floor in the commons area, numbering parking spots and some painting.
There is also some work to be done in a life skills classroom, where Mr. Cerra said more appliances will be added.
"We're done with the bulk of it," he said, adding that he was pleased with how the upgraded building held up in high winds during Superstorm Sandy. "This helped us weather a terrible storm."
"Everything seems to be looking just how we want it to be," school board President Gary Smedley said.
Though he said he believes the reimbursement will come, Mr. Smedley also said the district will be prepared for whatever lies ahead.
"We would hope that it would come as soon as possible," he said. "We're still OK with our fund balance. We've been toeing the line in our expenses."
He also noted that the project stayed within budget with only "minimal additions and change orders."
"It might cause us to tighten our belts a little more," he said of the delayed reimbursement. "We're not bracing for any storms in the immediate future."
Contact the writer: rbrown@timesshamrock.com, @rbrownTT on Twitter