Construction to end before school starts

James James, of Desco Coatings in Olathe, lays down an epoxy floor coating in the boys locker room at West Junior High School on Tuesday.

Though it’s been a busy summer for construction projects in Lawrence public schools, students won’t hear hammers banging when they return to school next week.

Most projects are expected to be completed before school begins Aug. 17, said Tom Bracciano, the district’s operations and facility planning director.

“It should be pretty calm,” Bracciano said.

That said, parents and students heading to Southwest Junior High should anticipate at least one major change. Several portable classrooms have moved to the school’s north parking lot in anticipation of future construction there.

“They won’t be able to park there, and they won’t be able to turn around there,” Bracciano said.

He said drivers and students should use the main parking lot instead.

Crews will be replacing doors at the secondary schools throughout the school year. The district is phasing out its keyed entry at schools, and adding swipe card access.

The district this summer tackled $5 million in renovation projects at most schools. This included new carpeting, restroom renovation, and window replacements.

Class countdown

Only seven days of summer vacation remain. Classes for many students in the Lawrence school district begin next Wednesday, Aug. 17.

But that work should be completed before school starts, Bracciano said.

“(Aug. 17 was) what we’re shooting for, and it looks like we’re going to make it,” he said.

Construction projects financed by the recent $54 million construction bond issue are expected to begin in late spring.