Sunday, March 23, 2008
News
Durand schools to see facelift this year
By LIZ SHEPARD Argus-Press Staff Writer
DURAND - The final phase of Durand Area Schools' $14 million bond project is well underway.
Elementary schools are a main focus this year, but all of the district's buildings will have some work done this summer.
Work began soon after the bond was passed in 2006, starting with a new roof for the high school and administration building.
The high school has also seen new tennis courts and other new and revamped athletic facilities.
“It's phenomenal ... our district looks beautiful, our updates are really changing the facades of the building,” said Superintendent Cindy Weber. “Everyone is very excited and so appreciative of the community's support.”
Since the start of the school year, new lighting and wireless Internet service has been installed in the high school classrooms.
“It's been a seamless transition,” she said. “It's been minimal, just absolutely minimal disruption and the kids have been great about it. At most they're displaced from their classroom for a day or two.”
While the high school is the only facility with bond work occurring during the school year, all the buildings will be addressed this summer.
“I'm very excited about all of the accomplishments that we're having come to fruition this year,” Weber said.
The district's four elementary schools will have complete makeovers, from remodeling the interior of the buildings to sitework.
“The buildings are 30, 40 years old and you have to maintain them - they need paint, they need lights,” she said, adding what occurs in the remodel will depend on the needs of each building.
White boards and public address systems along with new lighting will be added to all four buildings.
The district's technology has also been updated through the bond, Weber said, noting the new wireless availability in the high school.
“I think that's got to be one of our No. 1 priorities because in order to really succeed in this century, (students are) going to need technology skills,” Weber said. “Technology is all around us and students use it widely outside of school.”
Throughout the summer every building except the middle school will be closed for construction. Summer activities, including driver's training and summer elementary school programs, will be moved to the middle school where an office will also be open with limited hours.
Most athletic facilities are anticipated to remain open, and the weight room will be moved to the middle school during construction.
While the improvements are necessary for the aging buildings and will help cut costs by implementing more efficient equipment, Weber said there's always room for improvement elsewhere.
“We still have many needs though, $14 million sounds like a lot of money and it is a lot of money, but we still have a lot of things we weren't able to fix,” she said.
Elementary schools are a main focus this year, but all of the district's buildings will have some work done this summer.
Work began soon after the bond was passed in 2006, starting with a new roof for the high school and administration building.
The high school has also seen new tennis courts and other new and revamped athletic facilities.
“It's phenomenal ... our district looks beautiful, our updates are really changing the facades of the building,” said Superintendent Cindy Weber. “Everyone is very excited and so appreciative of the community's support.”
Since the start of the school year, new lighting and wireless Internet service has been installed in the high school classrooms.
“It's been a seamless transition,” she said. “It's been minimal, just absolutely minimal disruption and the kids have been great about it. At most they're displaced from their classroom for a day or two.”
While the high school is the only facility with bond work occurring during the school year, all the buildings will be addressed this summer.
“I'm very excited about all of the accomplishments that we're having come to fruition this year,” Weber said.
The district's four elementary schools will have complete makeovers, from remodeling the interior of the buildings to sitework.
“The buildings are 30, 40 years old and you have to maintain them - they need paint, they need lights,” she said, adding what occurs in the remodel will depend on the needs of each building.
White boards and public address systems along with new lighting will be added to all four buildings.
The district's technology has also been updated through the bond, Weber said, noting the new wireless availability in the high school.
“I think that's got to be one of our No. 1 priorities because in order to really succeed in this century, (students are) going to need technology skills,” Weber said. “Technology is all around us and students use it widely outside of school.”
Throughout the summer every building except the middle school will be closed for construction. Summer activities, including driver's training and summer elementary school programs, will be moved to the middle school where an office will also be open with limited hours.
Most athletic facilities are anticipated to remain open, and the weight room will be moved to the middle school during construction.
While the improvements are necessary for the aging buildings and will help cut costs by implementing more efficient equipment, Weber said there's always room for improvement elsewhere.
“We still have many needs though, $14 million sounds like a lot of money and it is a lot of money, but we still have a lot of things we weren't able to fix,” she said.