HOBART | Crews will begin transforming Hobart High School into the district's middle school Dec. 23.

School City of Hobart board members on Thursday approved an asbestos abatement plan for the building at 36 E. 8th St., the latest in a round of bids intended to get the project done in time for the start of the next school year.

Tony Skimehorn, the district's support services director, said about 90 percent of the asbestos originally found in the present high school building has been removed through various renovation projects since the early 1980s, the last in 2003. There is, though, some solid matter in some of the science tables, as well as flooring, and in some of the ceiling tiles in storage areas that will be removed, environmental consultant John Blosky said.

Bids for the project came in lower than expected. Midwest Asbestos Abatement Corp. was the lowest at $103,000. Skimehorn said because the project is kicking off in the winter months, historically a slower time for contractors and builders, it might save the district some money.

"I think we went way under budget, and that is good," Skimehorn said.

Skimehorn said one of the biggest challenges with the project is the timetable, so he made sure the company could do the work in phases, moving around the building in tandem with other projects taking place simultaneously. Blosky said there will be about 13 phases, each taking a week or two.

"This part of the project is going to be very fast paced," Skimehorn said. "We've got to get the building ready for fall."

While the project progresses, the pool area will remain open through February so swimming practices and meets can continue uninterrupted. Hobart's new $62 million high school does not have a swimming pool.