Tinted windows give the elementary a new look.

There is a whole new atmosphere in the lower level of the elementary building this year.

During the summer, the school carpenters and other contractors were busy doing a complete renovation on the first and second graders hall in the elementary. “Everyone, including the teachers, has a new lease on life,” said Terrie Rhodes, elementary physical education coach.

The elementary school was built approximately 50 years ago, the wiring had become outdated and it was difficult to maintain. The hallway was rewired, new outlets were placed in each room and a new electric box was added to make things easier. Other things in the remodeling were new, more efficient furnace units, insulated and tinted windows for each room and new sinks and mirrors between every other room. New wooden cubbies were added to each of the rooms, as well, which will aid in helping stop the spread of germs. The cubbies are large enough for coats to be spaced apart so that they are not touching and this will limit the spread of germs. The remodeling started the day school was dismissed.

The first and second grade teachers had to move everything out of their rooms to prepare for their new rooms. Next, the contractors removed the entire hall of tile and went on from there. Asbestos under the tile was the reason for it being replaced. Since the tile was such a big job, it was decided to remodel the entire hallway. The reconstruction continued until two days before school was back in session.

When the elementary was built, the air conditioner units were placed on top of the building and that caused problems with the roof and leaks were very common throughout the school. Before new air conditioners were replaced every other room had to share a unit, which made it difficult to maintain temperature between the two rooms. A few years ago the air conditioner units were replaced and each room had its own unit. Although the air conditioners were new, it was still hard to maintain the temperature because the old windows let out a lot of cool air during the summer months and a lot of heat during the winter months. In addition to the kids staying cooler and warmer, it will be more energy efficient.

All of these things have added to the more comfortable atmosphere in the elementary. All of these renovations made this year will end up paying for itself with in the next couple of years because of all the modernized and more energy efficient equipment. Future renovations are planned with in the next few years to refurbish the upper elementary in the same manner as the lower elementary was remodeled this year.