JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL REMODELING PROJECT UNDER WAY

Cape Girardeau Central Junior High School will be inaccessible to visitors for much of the summer while construction crews work to complete the first in a series of extensive remodeling projects.

The Board of Education approved a bid of $1,494,333 in April to perform renovations and additions to the building as part of the school district's three-phase master plan for facilities improvements. Renovations to the building are scheduled to continue throughout Phase II of the plan, which ends in 2005.

Construction crews are working to install windows, energy efficient lighting and independent air-conditioning and heating units in each classroom. Other changes are also being made for improved handicap accessibility throughout the facility.

The building, which houses eighth- and ninth-graders, will become a fifth- and sixth-grade learning center after all improvements are completed.

Renovation projects should be completed by Aug. 21, which is also the first scheduled date for summer orientation tours at the school, said Tom Berkbigler, a counselor at the junior high school. Teachers return to their classrooms Aug. 24, and the first day of classes is Aug. 26.

"I'm unsure how far along they are, and I'm not sure whether we will be able to do the summer orientation tours this year," he said. "We usually do them in the mornings to allow the students to get acquainted with the building and get their schedules set before school starts."

Administrative offices have been relocated to 1913 Whitener south of Central High School in the A+ Building until renovations are completed. Parents and students seeking information about report cards, enrollment or other subjects should contact the office at (573) 334-2923.