Kent-Meridian High School gym upgrade survives delays; other Kent projects make list also

The Kent-Meridian High School gym project has survived a round of project delays, and will be funded this year, along with a number of other capital projects in the Kent School District.

That was the news following Wednesday’s meeting of the Kent School Board, where members had some difficult choices to make, regarding projects promised under the district’s 2006 bond issue.

Under the $31 million bond, which voters passed, the district had outlined dozens of renovation projects around the district: from roof repairs and replacing water systems, to the K-M gym improvements and replacing fire-alarm systems.

But thanks to an economy in disarray, the district has opted to hold off selling approximately half of those bonds until the fiscal climate improves.

“The economy is going to have to recover, to get us to the point of selling the bonds,” explained Fred High, the district’s assistant superintendent for business services, in an interview March 23. Had the district opted to sell the bonds now, that would have resulted in tax increases for residents, High noted.

So on Wednesday, the Kent School Board had a difficult task before it: paring back the projects outlined under the bond issue. But High noted it’s important to realize the district isn’t actually dropping any projects; it’s just delaying them until the time when the remainder of the bonds are sold.

“Some things will have to be delayed,” he said.

The following is a list of the projects that will be funded for the 2010 year:

At Kent-Meridian High School

Replacing the main gymnasium hardwood floor

Renovating the locker rooms

Renovating the gym facility’s HVAC and electrical systems

Upgrading chemistry rooms

At Kentridge High School

Replacing floor coverings throughout the main building, special chargers, science wing and hallways

Remodeling a science wing

Adding restrooms to the D and E wings

At Kentlake High School

Install fall restraint system for safe roof access in spans

At Cedar Height Middle School

Install fall restraint, roof access from inside building and ladder access over parapet walls on roof

At Crestwood Elementary

Replace fire-alarm system

At Daniel Elementary

Install fall restraint to provide safety for roof access

At East Hill Elementary

Adding 6,200-square-foot multipurpose room

At Fairwood Elementary

Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface

Replacing carpet through all areas

Remodeling or adding classroom doors

At Horizon Elementary

Parking lot work

At Kent Mountainview Academy

Replacing domestic water system

At Lake Young Elementary

Replace classroom heating system

At Neely-O’Brien Elementary

Install exhaust fan in staff workroom

Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface

Reconfiguring the parking lot

At Park Orchard Elementary

Replacing the school heating and mechanical system

At Pine Tree Elementary

Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface

Replacing classroom and office area univents

At Sawyer Woods Elementary

Replacing the chip system under playground equipment with an approved playground-safety surface

Renovating or replacing playground matting

At Sunrise Elementary

Install fall restraint system for safe roof access

A number of other projects didn’t make the funding cut for this year, including remodeling the science area at Kentwood High School to accommodate chemistry, repainting the interiors of all the buildings at Kentridge, asphalting the lower parking lot at Kentridge, a science-room upgrade project at Kent-Meridian, and heating, ventilation and playground-surface upgrades at schools throughout the district.

Information wasn’t readily available as to when those projects will be undertaken, but will most likely be affected by upcoming economic improvements.