USD 234 opens doors to renovated buildings

The walls of a hall near the main entrance to Winfield Scott school features a welcome mural and plaque from USD 234 officials thanking the community for their support of the district’s school bond projects.

Jason E. Silvers

There are plenty of changes in USD 234 schools as administrators, teachers, staff and students prepare for the start of another school year.

Along with energy, technology and safety and security upgrades, changes at all four district schools include newly-remodeled classrooms and other spaces, addition of flexible learning spaces, improvements to HVAC, plumbing and electrical, construction of new high-wind shelters and other structures.

Projects are part of a $40.8 million bond issue voters approved in late 2014.

The bond projects began in 2015 and are nearing completion with minor work being done over the summer and into the new school year. Subcontractors have been working the past few summers on projects at all schools.

Furniture and several other times that were moved out of school buildings after the end of the 2015-16 school year in preparation for summer work were moved back in for the 2016-17 school year, although work continued on several projects, primarily at the high school.

As certain work was completed, various areas were turned over to the schools starting in late 2016.

Fort Scott High School Principal Shawn Thomas said the tone is positive as he and his staff ready for the new school year, which starts Wednesday.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “It’s upbeat. The product looks great. And it’s a whole different school and will not look anything like it used to. There’s a sense of relief the process is almost over. And it’s been sometimes hard for our folks. We’ve had to endure some obstacles and tribulations to get to where we are, but it’s certainly worth it.”

Large projects included secure entries and high-wind shelters at Fort Scott Middle School, a new auxiliary gymnasium, science wing and high-wind shelters at FSHS, as well as new cafeterias and wind shelters at Winfield Scott and Eugene Ware elementary schools. Improvements including new artificial turf were made to Frary Field, the district stadium.

“Most of the improvements here over the summer are pretty minor, and we’re real excited to see that,” Winfield Scott Principal Joy McGhee said. “We’ve had the ability to get rid of some old equipment and use new spaces and new flex areas. It’s kind of a fun, brainstorming stage and fun to have options we haven’t really had before.”

Thomas said “it’s down to just detail work right now” at the high school.

“Things like making sure little pieces of signage are up,” he said. “The last rooms are finally complete.”

He said the newly-revamped auditorium will be “premiered” Monday morning when teachers and other district staff are present for a district meeting to kick off the new school year.