After clearing trees and stumps from the footprint of the new Sandy Hook Elementary School, site work to make the new foundation area stable will commence in the coming days according to a Consigli Construction spokesperson.

At the same time, the State of Connecticut has scheduled the next installment of an approved $50 million in funding by awarding the latest round of grants requested to cover costs related to the construction project.

Governor Dannel P. Malloy announced November 19 that the State Bond Commission approved a $5 million grant to finance ongoing planning and design costs for the new school.

“The State of Connecticut joins the people of Newtown in their resolve to move forward despite the most challenging of circumstances,” said Gov Malloy. “This project is a necessary part of the recovery process, and will continue to be a priority even after students are attending classes in their new school.”

During the 2013 legislative session, the governor and the General Assembly agreed to authorize up to $50 million for a new facility to be built at the site of the former Sandy Hook Elementary School after officials voted to demolish the old school.

The commission previously allocated $7.45 million in Urban Act and grant-in-aid funds for the project.

There will be quarterly funding requests throughout the course of the construction project, according to Newtown Public Building and Site Commission Chairman Robert Mitchell.

The Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is working with Newtown’s project management team to develop anticipated quarterly cash flows for the project. The anticipated needs will then be translated into periodic requests for allocations from the State Bond Commission.

First Selectman Pat Llodra, in a prepared statement, said the action of the Bonding Commission serves to remind Newtown and state residents of the generosity and support of the governor’s office and of virtually every state office and legislator.

“The new Sandy Hook School will become a reality in 2016 because of that generosity,” Mrs Llodra added. “We are humbled and thankful for the continuing kindness of our state partners.”

Architectural plans for construction of the new school were approved last week, and the town will be posting bid notices shortly and anticipates breaking ground in March 2015.

The current bond commission request is for design and preconstruction services.

The first phase involved the abatement of hazardous materials in the old school building and demolition of the structure, which was completed in November 2013. Clearing of the site and preparation for the construction phase commenced earlier this month.

Workers on the site have nearly completed removing trees and grinding stumps to open up the new school’s footprint for preparation. Workers are also completing perimeter fencing, and stripping off topsoil, which will be stockpiled for future site use.

According to the company spokesperson, additional soil is being removed from an area on the site where the school’s new entry and exit roadway will be installed.

A process called “deep dynamic compaction” will commence as early as next week, using a crane and heavily weighted deck to tamp down some of the looser areas of soil where foundation work will commence.

In addition, water lines currently running across part of the site are scheduled to be removed in the coming weeks, as well as tall light poles surrounding the site. Temporary work lights will then be stationed with plans to install new permanent lighting equipment as construction commences next spring and summer.

The new school is slated to be ready for occupancy for the start of the 2016-17 academic year.