Moon School District Readies for Elementary Schools Renovations

On the heels of its $76 million , officials in the say its time to refurbish two of its elementary schools.

School Board member Jerry Testa, chairman of the district's elementary facilities committee, said the board is in the beginning phases of extensive renovation projects for Allard and Hyde elementary schools.

Testa said the buildings haven’t been significantly updated since they were constructed more than 30 years ago. Brooks and Bon Meade elementary schools were renovated a decade ago; McCormick Elementary was refurbished when it was re-opened four years ago. Testa said the district is "committed to not closing down any of the neighborhood schools," while considering renovation plans.

Testa said the estimated cost of the renovation projects, which will include technology upgrades, is $7 million to $9 million per building.

"We have to look at a cost and see if it’s something we can accomplish at a minimum," Testa said. "We'd like to bring it up to today's standards, improve the facades of the buildings, make them more secure."

Testa said the board will wait until after it completes its 2011-2010 budget to submit requests for proposals to contractors.

"Depending upon costs, we might be able to do both at the same time or we'll attack one first," he said, adding that Allard’s worsening physical condition would make it a priority.

He said the elementary facility committee plans to complete the renovations without closing down the buildings for construction.

"You have to make sure that the atmosphere in those buildings is conducive to learning," Testa said. "Those buildings are deteriorating. The parents at Allard and Hyde pay taxes just like parents at the other schools."