School Construction to Take Place While Kids Are in Class

School Superintendent Michael Delahanty updated the School Board this week on the status of renovations at the Fisk and Soule elementary schools.

The planned renovations and additions will take place during the school year, while students are in the building, with site work expected to begin in mid-September.

"It's going to be inconvenient," Delahanty said.

The additions will include kindergarten classrooms, gymnasiums, reconfigured main office areas and small group instruction space, he said. Renovations will address all mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems, including energy efficiencies and a changeover to natural gas heating systems. Safety upgrades will include reconfigured main entrances, fire protection systems, electronic door locks with security cameras and new technology infrastructure.  

A parent information night for parents from both schools is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 29 at 6:30 p.m. at the Soule Elementary School to review the project timeline and phasing.

"Unlike the first project, this Phase II renovation will require us to move the kids from a section of building to another section of the building," Delahanty said. "So we're going to put on new additions first, move the kids into the new additions and then move into the final rooms that need to be renovated.

"I am feeling good about the progress that's being made," he added. "Certainly there will be some disruptions. When parents come in and see the plan a week from Thursday, they'll have an idea of how kids will be protected."

Delahanty said he hopes to have a guaranteed final price sometime this fall.

"I'm confident the project costs will be in line with what our budget is," he said. "Right now everyone is working very diligently to make sure we get these projects underway."

Haigh School is not being addressed until a year from now, but is still part of Phase II. It will receive a new sprinkler system, security upgrades and new energy efficient lighting. That work will be completed during the summer of 2014.