It’s been close to 40 years but the classroom portables at Central School are finally getting replaced.
This $4 million project is one of the bigger and more expensive ones for the school district, but those at the school say the safety benefits outweigh the cost.
The plan is to build a new cafeteria and convert the old one into classrooms.
How big is the need?
“It’s huge,” said Principal Alex Hughes. “I think mostly safety concerns. When we have bad weather trying to devise a safety plan with students in portables is pretty difficult. So it’s a big deal not to have them on campus.”
Hughes says the portables are not in good condition, like the one that’s had its roof patched four or five times in the last few years.
Then when there’s a problem the students move inside to another problem: overcrowding.
“I just think that our community will be really happy to see portables go and for our kids to have a newer, safer space,” Hughes said.
The schools superintendent is ready to move dirt to make that safer space. He wants the project done within two years.
“Taking care of our infrastructure needs is exciting,” said Superintendent Matt Massey. “Most of the time that’s not work that you’re excited about, repairing a roof or an HVAC system, but for us we’re excited that we’re gonna get to fix a lot of that deferred maintenence.”
Another big project where funding just went through is for fixing a roof leak and ventilation at Hazel Green Elementary in their special needs wing.
