August 2024 Construction Update

The Lincoln Middle School project has continued to make significant progress throughout the summer and even before school starts, the renovation of the front circle drive and main entrance will be completed.  

That area is on track to welcome students for the Wildcat Welcome on Friday, Aug. 9. The asphalt pavement went down last week with sod to follow. The new front drive and main entrance will be for bus pick up and drop off, while parent pick up and drop off will move to the south lot at the gymnasium for this year.    

The original main entrance, built in 1925, had numerous stairs that led into the building and to an interstitial landing area between the first and second floor. Entrants would then either go upstairs to the main office or downstairs to the first floor. When entering the building now, there will be no stairs to go up or down; instead, individuals will walk right to the first floor, making it fully accessible. 

The SSO will be housed in the vestibule, with the school resource officer, attendance secretary, and school nurse directly to the south of the entrance. On the northside is the main office that will house principal Michael Cory, his secretary, the receptionist, and the bookkeeper; they are anticipated to move into their new space before September.  

The nine additional classrooms at the north end of the 1925 building included in the abatement scope for this summer will be renovated throughout the school year. This area is completely separated from the school proper with a full height insulated wall on each floor; this is to maintain a complete separation of the students and faculty/staff from any construction work happening, there will be no access between to the areas. Most of the demolition within that space is complete, and the contractors will soon begin constructing the new elevator shaft that will occupy that area. 

Nuisance Dust Testing will be conducted throughout the entire building once the construction efforts are finished. This testing will determine if there are any construction particulates in the air and ensure they are within the acceptable range for indoor air quality requirements. We don’t anticipate any concerning findings. However, if any arise, we will promptly act to ensure a safe environment.   

The 60,000-square foot addition, which will include a competition gym, storm shelter/annex gym, library/media center, commons, eight classrooms of varying size, and a multi-purpose room, is still on track to open prior to the 2025-26 school year.  

EHS  
A wall was constructed at Edwardsville High School to separate the Commons addition from the non-construction area. Construction will officially begin in September with the exterior excavation and expansion. The project is anticipated to be complete and ready for use in fall 2025.   

Secure Entries 
Five schools with existing double entry vestibules (Liberty Middle, Cassens Elementary, Goshen Elementary, Midway Elementary, and Worden Elementary) all received upgraded door hardware and access control software to begin functioning as a secure entry vestibule this fall. The new main entrance at Lincoln Middle will also have a secure double entry vestibule.  

Plans are underway to complete safe and secure double entry vestibules at the remaining schools.  

Columbus Playground 
The district is advertising bids for the Columbus playground project with the anticipation of bringing those to the Board of Education for approval in August.  

 

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