Building Walk-Through
The Board renewed its annual practice of a walk-through inspection of all four school buildings on August 30, and found a remarkable level of readiness, especially considering the disruptions of construction. Led by Assistant Superintendent Greg Carlson and Director of Facilities, Operations and Maintenance Steve Thompson, the Board found head custodians at each school eager to point out their crews’ success in preparing classrooms and the rest of the facilities for the arrival of teachers on August 30, and students on September 6.

Construction Update
The Board also conducted a public meeting, which featured an update on the classroom and core facilities construction project, which is now visibly under way at all four

schools. Consultants from Triton Construction, the management company employed by the school district to oversee the $47MM project, reviewed progress school by school. Renovations within the buildings were a point of focus, since the opening of school required those renovations to be complete or sealed off from use. Most renovations were at the high school, where a major roofing replacement took place over the summer, along with alterations in the guidance suite and special education classrooms. At Wampus, the school library was renovated, and will be ready for use when students return. In addition, all four schools have classroom and core space additions already under way or about to start; that work will continue through the 2005-06 school year. In overview, the Triton consultants were pleased to report that the project continues “on time and on budget.”

School Opening—September 6
The district’s administrators also reported on other preparations for the start of school, which Superintendent John Chambers took pains to say would indeed occur on September 6, despite unfounded rumors to the contrary.