Sixth-graders will tour middle school on Labor Day
by DAVID F. SHERMAN Managing Editor

Students will see work progressing on the west wing addition to Sweet Home Middle School when classes resume next week. Work on the 18-month renovation project is on schedule, according to Superintendent of School Geoff Hicks. Photo by David F. Sherman

The major construction project which has swirled around Sweet Home Middle School for months won't prevent students from starting the fall semester next week.

"We are on schedule, on target," said Superintendent Geoff Hicks.

Paving work took place Monday, with the top coat being applied by Wednesday, streamlining and making safer the new entrance and existing parking lots.

Hicks said renovations to second floor classrooms are complete. Work on the floors, ceilings and windows as well as painting has been wrapped up, with furniture being moved back in this week.

Classes resume for the entire district on Wednesday, Sept. 6.

The new classroom wings are nearing completion as well. In late October, the library will be closed to permit expansion into the new media center.

The old music suite will not be available for the first two or three months of classes, he said. The east wing will be finished first, with the west wing following. Disruptions to the 950 students and 85 faculty and staff members should be minimal, he said.

"It's been a challenge. The site work was a little behind until this week, but I am much more relaxed now with the work they have done," Hicks said. "It's an ambitious 18-month project."

Because of the nature of the construction work, teachers have not yet been allowed into the building. Normally at this time of year, some faculty members would be on site, preparing teaching materials for the fall term and adding decorative touches.

Teachers will not be allowed inside until Tuesday, Sept. 5.

Sixth-grade students, who will be making the important transition from elementary school, will have the opportunity to go on a "walk around" tour on Monday night, Sept. 4.

The contents of most classrooms were piled on pallets when the work began, then shrink-wrapped. The pallets will be returned to each room with just hours to spare before classes begin on Wednesday.

The middle school was not the only building in the Sweet Home district to undergo major work this summer.

A new sewer line was installed at Glendale Elementary, and carpeting

was replaced by vinyl flooring in some parts of Heritage Heights Elementary. Both projects are complete and will not impact the first day of school, Hicks said.

e-mail: dsherman@beenews.com