Exciting Facility Improvements
We’re excited to share some great news about upcoming improvements to our facilities. Some of these plans are already in motion, and we hope to begin them over spring break. At the intermediate school, the cafeteria will receive a fresh coat of paint, and sound walls will be installed to create a more welcoming and enjoyable atmosphere for our students. At the high school, the lobby benches will be reupholstered, and the lobby bathrooms will get updated flooring. These are the goals for completion during spring break.
Looking ahead to this summer, we plan to continue updating the flooring in the remaining high school bathrooms. Additionally, we plan to begin painting the hallways, lobby, and all bathrooms at the high school. In the high school lobby, we will be replacing the historic photos with a digital display. Thanks to our EAST program, these memories, along with many others, are being digitized and will be showcased on an interactive TV in the lobby. This change will not only enhance the appearance of the lobby but also allow us to keep our displays up-to-date with more recent information.
We’re also happy to report that we will be purchasing new furniture for sections of the high school as part of a phased project to eventually update it all. Some of the furniture is over 20 years old, and classrooms have been mismatched with different styles, including temporary furniture. This update will focus on new tables and desks for 9 classrooms. Some of the more current furniture we are replacing will be repurposed to the portable building. This long-awaited update will enhance the improvements we made last year, which focused on new classroom tables, chairs, and bandroom furniture.
In addition to these updates, we’re pleased to announce that we have secured new safety grant funding, which will allow us to improve the entry points at both the high school and middle school. These improvements are part of the safety updates listed on the state's priority list. The grant will cover the installation of vestibules, ensuring that patrons will enter an enclosed area that prevents them from accessing the main building before checking in at the office. This added layer of security will help ensure the safety of our students and staff. These updates need to be completed before the end of summer to qualify for the grant, so we expect work to begin soon.
All of these upgrades are funded through either a grant or current district funds set aside for small-scale renovation projects, which the district has been putting back for several years. These funds reflect our commitment to creating modern, engaging spaces that celebrate our history while improving our facilities as much as possible. Our custodial and maintenance teams have done an excellent job keeping our buildings clean and maintained, and these updates will add to their efforts. If all goes as planned, our students and staff will return in August to some noticeable upgrades that will create a great environment for everyone.
A big thank you goes to our Director of Operations, Jason Barrett, the school board, and the building administration for working together to make these improvements a reality. As a district, we strive to rotate updates across all of our buildings, focusing on priorities in areas that need it most, especially in some of the older parts of our campuses. We plan to address other areas of need on a steady rotation, allowing us to allocate costs responsibly while keeping our schools updated.
Looking ahead, our millage restoration website will be updated soon with conceptual drawings of what the middle school addition and new arena could look like. These will be conceptual designs providing a general overview, and the exact plans will be finalized if the initiative passes in May. The middle school addition will also double as a storm shelter for approximately 750 people, adding both safety and space for our students and staff. Please keep in mind that factors such as market conditions and costs between now and when/if the millage passes could impact the final project, but we are hopeful for no surprises.
We will host a public meeting on March 19 at 5:30 p.m. in the high school cafeteria, where community members can share their feedback on our facilities and upcoming plans. We’re excited about these improvements and our continued focus on creating a great environment for our students, staff, and community. Stay tuned for more updates!