School construction enters the busy season

With students out for the summer, building construction will begin in earnest next week. That is, if the rain that has plagued workers all spring comes to an end.

In Jackson, nearly all the focus will be on the high school, which has been under construction since October 2006. Workers will try to beat the clock to finish the Fine Arts Complex and cafeteria by the start of school. The gym, which administrators hoped would be ready in February, is not expected to be completed in time.

Administrative offices in Cape Girardeau will see a flurry of activity as part of the building's lower level is transformed into space for the district's Alternative Education Center. The center is currently housed in the aging Shultz School, which has been sold for efficiency purposes. Other summer projects include work on metal buildings at the junior high, which will house the district's maintenance department.

Work's been underway for months on many of the projects but will kick into high gear with the arrival of summer vacation.

"Some of the work couldn't be done with school going on because it would be so noisy," said Dr. Jim Welker, an assistant superintendent in Jackson and the future superintendent of Cape Girardeau schools. "I know, for example, that there were some steps that had to be taken out in the C building and some doorways that needed to be cut that had to wait until school was out."

When complete, the $20 million project will connect previously separate buildings and add 100,000 square feet to the school. Additions include a new gym, cafeteria, library, music rooms and industrial arts space.

"Hopefully we'll have this section done by July 15, which gives us time to move from the old ag building and music building so they can be torn down for phase II," said Howard Hemmann, project manager for Penzel Construction Co., the general contractor. In their place, classrooms and offices will be constructed.

AARON EISENHAUER ~ aeisenhauer@semissourian.com Larry Jackson, an electrician with Powers Electric, made a measurement on the schematics of the new alternative school building as he ran power to the room Wednesday.

Cape Girardeau's administrative offices are being renovated by Sides Construction at a cost of $1.5 million. The Alternative Education Center serves about 100 students in grades five to 12.

Classrooms are being constructed in the back half of the offices, previously home to offices, a warehouse and maintenance equipment.

"It'll be nice to be on one floor. There won't be so many places for kids to wander off," said Carla Fee, director of the center. She is looking forward to purchasing new furniture for some of the rooms. "We've always had hand-me-downs. For the first time we'll be able to buy some new furniture for our rooms," she said, adding that she has been told by project supervisors that construction is on schedule.

At the junior high, the industrial technology department will be moved from an outside metal building to the school's basement. The section formerly was a wrestling and weight room when the building was a high school. Air conditioning will be installed. The cost of the renovations is $266,343.

Another metal building will be renovated at a cost of $230,193 to house the district's maintenance department.

"We're crossing our fingers and saying a prayer that there's decent weather," said J.B. McClard, coordinator of facilities.

lbavolek@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 123

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