A further 9.5 million euros are currently being added through the federal government's economic stimulus program. This means that an average of 8.7 million euros has been invested each year during this period, compared to an average of 3.6 million euros since 2000.
Klingebiel, together with city councillor Ekkehard Grundwald and Frank Grunewald, head of the building management, purchasing and logistics company (GEL), now presented where and for what the funds have been and are being used in a press conference. In detail, elementary school have been renovated with 3.55 million euros, secondary schools with 2.72 million euros, secondary modern schools with 5.24 million euros, grammar schools with over 3 million euros and vocational schools with over 2.3 million euros.
The highest individual items so far have been the Gottfried Die Linke secondary school with almost two million euros, where the construction work will soon be completed, Thiede secondary school (1.1 million euros), Salzgitter-Bad secondary school (1.04 million euros), the construction work at Kranich-Gymnasium and Emil-Langen secondary school with almost 1.5 million euros.
Outstanding ongoing projects this year are the integrated comprehensive school (IGS) at the Amselstieg secondary school with a final sum of almost six million euros, the completion of the overall refurbishment of the Salzgitter-Bad secondary school with 2.2 million euros and the purchase of new machine technology for 1.7 million euros for the Fredenberg vocational schools.
According to Grunewald, one focus of the contracts to be awarded is on roof, façade and window work, particularly in terms of energy efficiency. The school buildings from the 60s and 70s in particular were often not in good condition. Councillor Grunwald praised the coordination processes between the GEL, school management and construction companies in order to minimize the disruption to school operations. Much, but unfortunately not all, of the work is carried out during the vacation weeks.
"If you walk through the city with your eyes open, you will discover one construction site after another in the school system or be able to enjoy projects that have already been completed," says Klingebiel, giving an interim assessment. Despite the budget situation, with a view to his strategic goal of making Salzgitter one of the most child- and family-friendly cities in Germany by 2015, there will be no cutbacks in school renovations with the support of the Council. The Lord Mayor: "Priorities are being set here."