Later this month, the three-story Rippey school building will be demolished.

A demolition bid was approved by the East Greene School Board before they reorganized with Jefferson-Scranton to become Greene County School District on July 1st.  Lansing Brothers Construction received the bid for $111,000 to tear down the building.

We previously reported that Environmental Management Services was removing the asbestos from the building.

Superintendent Tim Christensen says they also received a grant through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Derelict Building program.  The grant, which can be awarded up to $21,000, must have at least 80% of the building materials from the demolition be diverted from a landfill.  The district can also receive $15,000 for diverting at least 31% of the materials from a landfill.

Only the gymnasium will remain because Christensen adds that they needed another competition gym to play basketball during the winter season.

It is now the responsibility of the Greene County School Board to carry out and finish the project which is suppose to last two weeks once demolition begins later this month.