We’re working overtime putting the 2001 Bond dollars to work revitalizing our older school buildings. We’ve divided the buildings into two groups by age. Tier I are buildings built in the 1950s, and they’re getting the greatest number of enhancements. Tier II schools, constructed in the ’60s, are getting facelifts.
RISD built eight new schools in the 1960s, including White Rock and Stults Road Elementaries in the Lake Highlands area. These schools got new paint for walls and lockers, new lights and tile floors, carpet in all classrooms and new marker boards. Their libraries and cafeterias have been completely redone.
In addition, since White Rock Elementary is almost 42 years old, restrooms have been gutted and updated. The school will get new windows this summer. We also added two kindergarten classrooms with the new wing, which was funded from the 1996 Bond.
There are a total of 11 Tier I schools in the district. Four are in Lake Highlands: Hamilton Park Pacesetter, Wallace and Lake Highlands Elementaries and Lake Highlands Junior High.
Because these buildings are more than 50 years old, they’re getting the works. Elementary school front offices are being completely reconfigured so there will be windows on three sides. By adding windows both inside and outside, we hope to improve office safety and visibility and make it a more inviting and aesthetically welcoming place for children, parents and visitors.
All bathrooms, cafeterias and libraries will be gutted and reconfigured. New windows will be installed. And, of course, the buildings will receive new paint, tile, lights and carpet.
We’re still planning the junior high improvements depending upon freshman programming decisions.
In the past we followed a practice of only working on schools during the summer months. Using this system, it would take eight or nine years to complete all the scheduled improvements. By compartmentalizing construction areas, we are able to continue repairs through the school year with little or no impact on learning. This way, our elementary students will be enjoying their revitalized buildings in only one year.
We also standardized color schemes throughout the buildings. Principals and staff may choose from among five different color palates to support the school’s mascot and colors. The maintenance department retains samples of these five carpet, paint and tile colors for future repairs.
We welcome the community into our schools. Just drop by the school office to register, and staff will be delighted to show you around.
Great teachers will always be the cornerstone of quality education. But maintaining the value of our buildings is necessary to preserve community trust in our educational system.
