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In 1998, the Board of Education approved plans
to remodel and renovate the district's five elementary schools and McGugan
Jr. High School. The renovation plan was to take place over three summers,
with some smaller projects and completion taking place during the school
years. Projects at Brandt School (the Science Center), Gaddis (the District
Office) and Gasteyer School (leased to South Side Baptist) were to be
approved and scheduled at a later date. The funding for these projects
came from the sale of Life, Health and Safety Bonds and Working Cash
Fund Bonds. The Board of Education has approved and sold 14.5 million
dollars in Life Safety Bonds and 5 million dollars in Working Cash Fund
Bonds to fund the first three years of the project.
The work was done on Hometown School and Covington School as well as
roof repair and replacement at Kolmar, Sward and Covington Schools in
1999. Kolmar, Sward and the remainder of Covington School was finished
in the summer of 2000. Hannum and its addition were completed in the
summer of 2001.
The renovations included windows, roofs, floors, ceilings, boilers,
air conditioning, electrical and plumbing work. In addition, student
and teacher desks and chairs were replaced.
The district passed the referendum on November 5, 2002 for the construction
of a new middle school (grades 6 – 7 – 8) to replace McGugan.
It is being built on the Gasteyer site. Gasteyer will be razed and the
current renters moved to McGugan in the summer of 2005. This project
began with the expansion of the building of new gyms at Hannum and Kolmar
in the summer of 2003. Work began on the new middle school the fall
of 2003 with construction to be completed for the school to open Fall
2005. Multipurpose rooms/cafeterias are planned for Sward and Hometown
schools with work being completed by August 2005. Brandt School will
be remodeled in the summer of 2006. Plans are being developed to update
the District office in 2007.
The project is part of the long-range facility plan for the district.
The project should extend the life span of the current buildings 35
– 40 years. The project will enhance the learning environment
of our students, staff and community use of the facilities.
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