Schools receive delayed repairs

Project list is long for Lawrence district

The recent passage of a $54 million bond issue for construction has freed up funds for the Lawrence school district to undertake less glamorous renovations that some say are long overdue.

The district this summer will tackle $5 million in renovation projects at most schools. The projects – including window replacements, new doorways and carpeting, and rest-room renovations – are separate from those included in the bond issue.

“Most of the what we’re doing this summer is catch-up work,” said Tom Bracciano, the district’s operations and facility planning director. “It really should have been done five years ago.”

The closure of several schools in recent years enables the district to focus on those buildings it plans to keep in operation, Bracciano said.

The projects are paid for out of the district’s capital outlay fund, which is used for building construction and upkeep.

Officials took some projects slated to be paid for by the capital outlay fund and put them into the bond project. That freed up some funds for additional renovation projects, including those for this summer, Bracciano said.

West Junior High School, 2700 Harvard Road, is one school seeing several upgrades. About $600,000 will be spent on new carpeting and flooring, heating, ventilating and air-conditioning upgrades, rest-room and locker-room renovations, and ceiling and canopy repair.

The district also is phasing out its keyed entry to schools. Starting this summer, several schools will be equipped for swipe card access. The card system will improve security because officials won’t have to worry about lost keys and can limit access to buildings, Bracciano said.

Because the summer isn’t long enough to complete all the projects, some work will continue throughout the school year, Bracciano said.

Lawrence school district lists building improvement projects

These are some of the projects planned for Lawrence public schools.

Cordley: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring.

Deerfield: paving and sitework, such as grading or drainage; heating, ventilating and air-conditioning (HVAC) upgrades; ceiling/lighting renovation; outdoor stone/masonry/paint work.

East Heights Early Childhood Family Center: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; paving and sitework; toilet renovation; installation of acoustical material in gym.

Hillcrest: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; paving and sitework; HVAC upgrades.

Kennedy: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; paving and sitework; HVAC upgrades; removal and replacement of asbestos ceiling tiles; outdoor stone/masonry/paint work.

New York: new carpeting and/or hard flooring.

Pinckney: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; paving and sitework; ceiling/lighting renovation.

Prairie Park: new carpeting and/or hard flooring.

Quail Run: HVAC upgrades.

Schwegler: exterior doors; HVAC upgrades; ceiling work.

Sunflower: paving and sitework such as grading or drainage.

Sunset Hill: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; paving and sitework.

Wakarusa Valley: exterior doors.

Woodlawn: new carpeting and/or hard flooring.

Central Junior High: exterior doors; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; HVAC upgrades; boys locker room renovation; outdoor stone/masonry/paint work.

Southwest Junior High: bleacher improvements.

West Junior High: new carpeting and/or hard flooring; outdoor track improvements; HVAC upgrades; rest-room and locker room renovations; new classroom ceilings; canopy repair.

Free State High: outdoor track improvements; paving and sitework.

Lawrence High: exterior doors; bleachers and gym equipment; new carpeting and/or hard flooring; paving and sitework; HVAC upgrades; small gym ceiling replacement; additional storage building.