(KAIR )--The ongoing goal of establishing a greenhouse for the students of USD 377 took a strong step forward last week, with a proposal approved for the project.

That happened when the Board of Education for the Atchison County Community Schools met February 10 and approved the proposal from Hummert International, of Topeka, for the purchase of materials and construction of a 24 by 36 foot greenhouse.

Superintendent Dr. Andrew Gaddis told MSC News the total expenditure approved for project use is $90,000, but bids have not yet been received for some dirt and concrete work.
As it stands, $49,000 is now approved for greenhouse materials, with an additional $41,000 approved for construction.

Gaddis said donations and grant funds, which currently total $92,000, will be used to fund the project, with the Atchison County Community Schools Education Foundation continuing to take donations. The foundation has verbally committed to making up any shortage of funds. 

In other business during the meeting, the board approved a contract with Lankford Floors, of Bucyrus, Kansas, to replace the gym floor at the elementary school gym in the amount of $106,200 and to refinish the Junior-Senior high school gym floor in the amount of $21,435