The $1.8 million construction project at Alma Elementary School passed inspection last week and occupancy permits have been issued for the new buildings. Ledger photo by SCOTT BAUGHMAN Cherokee County’s traditional schools head back to the grind Monday. But for year-round Alma Elementary School, this week marked another milestone — the official inspection of the school’s $1.8 million expansion project.

“We have had our inspection and been issued a conditional occupancy permit,” said Jim Britton, Southern Management senior project manager who’s been overseeing the construction since late last year. “There were a few changes we’re going to have to make, but overall I think the project has been a real success.”

West Columbia contractor Noble Construction was awarded the contract to renovate the school’s auditorium and convert it into a multipurpose room. Also, the project called for construction of a new kitchen, an administration and media center wing, two kindergarten classrooms and interior renovations.

The newly erected buildings are in front of the older school sections and face Cherokee Avenue.

“The big thing we had in our inspection was some PVC plumbing lines penetrating several firewalls,” Britton said. “We have one-hour and two-hour firewalls in the building that are 5/8ths of an inch thick. They’re made of X type sheet rock. The PVC lines can run inside it, but aren’t allowed to penetrate it. Also, we had to put a metal plate over an intercom in one room.”

Britton wanted to thank the staff and students at Alma for their patience in getting the project completed.

“Jean Brewington and the rest of the teachers and staff have been wonderful,” he said. “They’ve all been very patient with us and did a fantastic job of continuing school — since this is year-round, they’ve been teaching while we work.”

And while not everything went according to plan, Britton had no complaints.

“Like any construction project we had some snags here and there,” he said. “There was a lot of turnover at the contractor, but they made sure things got done. The owner himself came out and did some work, did some manual labor himself to make sure things got done on time. The changes we have to make will be accomplished under a contract extension.”