The July Board of Education meetings, coinciding with reports from the Superintendent, discussed summer developments in construction at the high school, among other topics. The general consensus is that construction is going smoothly with nearly no defects.
Facilities upgrades in the high school have been discussed long-term for a while now, and this summer, a large portion of the plan was expected to come to fruition. July’s monthly CUSD 95 Board of Education meetings, along with featured superintendent reports from Dr. Kelley Gallt, provided insight into how these developments are playing out.
“Whether [it has] been construction and facilities, technology upgrades, preparing for institute day, analyzing student data, or ensuring bus routes are mapped and every classroom is ready, [we have] been working hard behind the scenes in countless ways,” Eileen Maloney, Board President, said.
Some of the main upgrades in the high school are to the office areas for the staff and the culinary classroom. Upgrades to the culinary classroom had begun even prior to the end of the schoolyear, with the classrooms being boarded up as students still roamed the hallways.
“I had the opportunity to tour some of the areas where our staff are going to be housed for their office space areas. […] [I am] so really excited. [It is] coming along nicely. [It is] not completed yet, but [it is] coming along nicely […] Toward the culinary space, [It is] hard to see within these pictures, but one of the pictures showcases a wooden-type wall that looks amazing in person,” Dr. Kelley Gallt, CUSD 95 Superintendent, said.
These developments were funded by part of CUSD 95’s annual 3 million dollar budget. Upgrades, naturally, do not come cheap.
“We are really excited about students returning on August 13. That will be here before you know it. I definitely want to be at the high school when I watch students walk into some of the new spaces,” Gallt said. “Most especially, I think [they are] going to be excited about the Tonelli Gym having air conditioning.”
The Tonelli gym is not the only gym receiving upgrades. Although it was the only one remaining without air conditioning, both the main gym and fieldhouse have been expecting improvements as well.
“[Students will] be surprised when they enter the main gym [with its] fresh paint, and it just looks new, and then, of course, our fieldhouse. Bleachers on one side of the gym have been installed. Note that they are in black and blue with ‘LZHS’ on them. I know that our kids are going to be excited about that, but even more so, the audio within that facility has been a struggle in past years. No longer will that be the case,” Gallt said.
The prospect of a new learning environment excites both staff and students alike. A better learning environment supports CUSD 95’s long-term goal, and both the board meetings’ and reports’ discussion on facilities upgrades had an air of ecstasy. They are open to the general public, but can also be viewed on District 95’s Vimeo page, as recorded by Mr. Marcel Graham.
“I know our students and staff will be both excited and inspired when they return to see these improvements,” Maloney said. “Thank you again to everyone who plays a role in supporting our district.”
