Junior High renovation

	*Indiana Area* *Junior High School* Renovation Project
Summer/Fall 2003: The Junior High renovation project approved by the School Board last spring, is off and running. It began this past summer with asbestos abatement and the maintenance and custodial departments building and preparing temporary classrooms at the Junior High. The library, gymnasium, and large group instruction room were converted into classrooms. Also, areas of the building are blocked off in preparation of the first full phase of the renovation project this fall.



Winter 2003-2004: Two of the most obvious changes to those passing by are the removal of the panels that cover the school’s exterior and the demolition of the previous entrance. When the renovation is complete, the building will feature a brick exterior and the new entrance will face Fifth Street and will incorporate an access ramp for the handicapped. Currently observers might also notice a new “structure” on Chestnut Street, a temporary walkway and sort of tunnel that enables students to get from place to place in spite of closed stairwells and hallways. Work in classrooms, particularly science and English classrooms on the second and third floors, is also underway. Classes that would normally have been taught in those classrooms are being conducted in various temporary classrooms set up throughout the building. When those rooms are completed, teachers and students will be able to return to those classrooms, and new classes will take their place in the temporary classrooms. This process will continue until all classrooms have been renovated. Less obvious, but equally important, are the plumbing and electrical work that will be completed. A new heating system and air-conditioning system will ultimately be in place, as will new wiring to better accommodate growth in technology the district has experienced in recent years. The school’s kitchen will also undergo some major changes. It was last renovated more than three decades ago and must be doubled in size in order to meet current regulations. In May, the kitchen will be closed so this process may begin.


Summer 2004: Renovation work continues to progress at the junior high school. The demolition process has occurred in all the third floor classrooms that were not renovated during Phase 1. The majority of the electrical, HVAC, and plumbing rough-in work has also been completed in this area, and the contractor is in the process of installing the new wallboard. The remaining rooms to be renovated on the second floor have been cleaned out and demolition recently started there, as well. Work in the kitchen is also underway. The existing kitchen has been completely gutted and old plumbing drain lines, outdated electrical wiring, and floor tiles have been removed. The exterior block wall for the pool area is completed, and the steel beams for the classroom additions at the cafeteria patio have been put in place. The block walls will follow. Work continues on the exterior of the building, which includes re-roofing, removal of existing wall panels, and installation of the stone and brick. Work in the following areas will be completed prior to the start of school on September 1, 2004: The four-story addition at the cafeteria patio All stairwells Cafeteria/kitchen Two Family Consumer Science rooms Lifeskills room All of second and third floors (except the auditorium balcony) All exterior windows/exterior work at the ground level at all entrances and exits Gas/sanitary lines/storm drainage/waterline Electric/phone/cable--service Work in the current office space has also begun. The main office and guidance office staff have been relocated to the Horace Mann Elementary School for the summer while the contractors work in these areas. Please note that the phone number for the junior high school has not changed.


Back-to-school 2004: Renovation at the junior high school continued over the summer. When students returned to school, the entire second and third floors, the music wing on the first floor, two consumer science classrooms and the life skills classrooms were all nearly completed. The areas that are currently being completed are: The Auditorium and the remainder of the ground floor, which will include the art, technology education, health, and family and consumer science rooms, as well as the copy room. To be completed on the first floor are the large group instruction room, the faculty room, administrative office, guidance office, nurse suite, and the entry area. Meanwhile, the contractors continue to work on the exterior of the building. After completing the above areas, the contractors will move to the library, gym/locker rooms and swimming pool.


Fall-Winter 2004: Staff and students at the junior high school are doing well, adjusting to working and learning in a construction environment. The office has been set up in the library while the office and front lobby areas are being renovated. Other areas that are in the process of being completed are the auditorium and stage, the family and consumer science rooms, technology and art rooms, and TV studio. The administrative staff expects to be moved into the new office on December 8, while the art and technology areas should be able to be occupied on December 2. The rear parking lot was recently milled in preparation for paving. The Chestnut Street bus turnaround is nearing completion, as well.

Back-to-school 2005: The junior high school renovation project is actually very near completion. The swimming pool was filled in mid- September and is now operational. The exterior of the building is finished with the exception of the front step replacement. According to John Pappal, Supervisor of Buildings and Grounds for IASD, there are three more projects to complete: 1) the front entrance steps will be replaced; 2) the ceramic tile in the cafeteria is scheduled to be replaced next summer; and 3) the linoleum flooring is scheduled to be installed in the cafeteria next summer. Contractors are also working after school hours to correct minor problems throughout the building.

Summer 2006: July will be a very busy month in the renovation process at the junior high school. The bulk of the work will be completed in the coming weeks, when the school is empty. The list of projects includes: finishing the gymnasium floor, changing the ductwork in the gym and pool areas, and completing display cases for both the auditorium and school store areas. The cafeteria walls have been demolished, and workers are in the process of installing steel studs in preparation for the new walls in that area. The cafeteria floor will have the sheet vinyl installed. Likewise, the floors in the locker rooms will also be fixed. Exterior projects include: re-caulking necessary windows and re-seeding the grounds along Shryock Avenue and Fifth Street. Workers are in the process of sandblasting the school name near the entrance of the school. The handrails for the front steps have been fabricated. With the installation of those handrails, the front steps are complete.