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Saturday, May 25, 2013
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Fifth grade renovation nearly done
by Gregory R. Norfleet · News · August 17, 2012
Both the school district and the contractor expect renovations to West Branch Middle School finished in time for the start of school Aug. 22.
Fifth graders will occupy the west wing of WBMS, and Ray Willoughby, who is supervising the work, told the West Branch Board of Education last week that light fixtures, the air conditioning unit and water fountain were among work to be done that week.
“Are we going to be ready?” School Board President Mike Owen asked at the Aug. 6 meeting.
“Should,” Willoughby said.
Construction makes up almost $123,000 of the roughly $141,000 renovation project, with the rest going to architect fees.
One new door, planned as a fire door, had to be sent back because the window was too large for code, Willoughby said. Also, windows have been added to the west wall near the south end to give more light. He noted that the seals did not leak in the Aug. 4 storm.
“Everything so far looks good,” he said, noting that teachers are “beating on my doors” to get in and prepare their rooms for school.
WBMS Principal Sara Oswald said there is a “snag” with furniture: the sales consultant said the new chairs and desks will be delayed because the company providing them went out of business. Oswald said the school still has the fifth-grade furniture at Hoover Elementary and will use it in the interim; board member Kathy Knoop joked that the class could assemble the new furniture as a project.
“We may have a second open house night,” Oswald said of the fifth-grade area.
The three classrooms, from south to north, were painted per the teachers: blue for Amanda Tisinger, yellow for Kelly Lucas and green for Dana Arp. However, Lucas submitted her resignation last week to take another job. The school district is currently advertising to fill that position.
WBMS used to be the high school, and the area being renovated was initially the industrial technology area. Randy Robertson taught in that room until the current high school was built. Robertson retired in May and his company, Robertson Painting & Construction, is now in charge of renovations.
He pointed out that two new doors have been added in the hallway, as well as a sink and drinking fountain. The doors are supposed to withstand fire for up to 20 minutes.
The school district is moving the fifth grade classrooms to WBMS to alleviate crowding in Hoover Elementary. |
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