Since passage of the $ 7.995 million bond last May, plans have been ongoing throughout the summer to get the elementary school improvements underway.

“Representatives of the elementary school met with architects throughout the summer to provide input on plans for renovation of the historical building, and the construction of a new cafeteria.” said Superintendent Dr. Buck Ford. “The input from our faculty and staff has been significant.”

On Thursday, architects Bob Shelton and Drew Cummings of Fromberg and Associates met with teachers in the several design groups which are a focus of their planning: computer lab; art classroom; band/music classroom; special education; 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade classrooms; science lab; and library.

“We’ve met with these groups throughout the summer, and wanted to meet with them again to give them an update,” said architect Bob Shelton. “We incorporated their ideas into these designs, and now want their feedback.”

“We’ll take today’s feedback, and continue to refine our designs. We plan to come back once more at the end of September, and by then we should have them pretty much complete.”

Teachers appreciate the input.

“It looks great,” said Special Education Director Kathryn Rutherford. “I’m excited. Let’s go!”

Librarian Laurie Kirkscey said, “These planning sessions have been very productive. The architect team and the administration have listened to the elementary faculty—who will be teaching in the new yellow building every day—and tried to incorporate as many of our suggestions as possible.”

“As a librarian I really appreciate that I was involved in the planning of the new library. I always felt that Drew Cummings and Bob Shelton understood my point of view and were willing to include and expand my ideas to create an attractive, well-designed library.”