LEXINGTON – The Lexington Board of Education met Monday night to review revised plans for the Lexington Middle School project, the Bryan Elementary School project and the expansion project for Lexington High School.
On hand at the meeting to explain the construction, renovations and costs was Jim Berg of BVH Architects of Lincoln, who is drawing up the plans for LPS.
Based on the revised plans, improvements at the middle school would include a new gym to the north of existing gym, additional street parking adjacent to the school on both sides of Grant Street and a commons area to seat 300 people, among others.
“I don’t think that’s going to be big enough,” said LPS Superintendent Todd Chessmore.
After questioning those in attendance, Chessmore pointed out having only seats for 300 would still require multiple seating times for LMS lunch period.
“Push the plan north to allow for another 100 seats,” Chessmore recommended.
Under the new plans, the current cafeteria, which has been deemed “elbow-room, at best,” would be turned into a multipurpose room.
Other improvements would include relocating the public entrance door to the west of the building, Washington Street, where secured access could be granted after visitors checked in at the administration office.
When the school initially discussed the middle school project at a November board meeting, the projected construction costs were $11.7 million, which was to include new additions at the middle school for $5.3 million, existing renovations at nearly $300,000, new construction for a community exercise facility shared with the YMCA and for possible city use for $5.6 million and general site improvements for almost $500,000.
The revised construction plans for the middle school bring the price tag down to $6.5 million. That figure does not include construction costs for the community/YMCA exercise room or for any improvements to the building’s physical plant.
According to the head of LPS maintenance, Bo Berry, the ductwork at the middle school needs to be addressed.
Construction at Bryan Elementary has not changed since the last plan review. Improvements there include adding five new classrooms, a new entry on the south side of the building, the addition of two kindergarten classrooms and an expanded gymnasium, among others.
The price tag at Bryan Elementary is estimated to total nearly $2.8 million.
New construction at Lexington High School would expand the cafeteria and concession area as well as add storage and a permanent serving area in the lunchroom. Plans are to move the entrance to the school off 13th and Adams, which would solve a lot of morning congestion issues.
As with the projects at the other two schools, a secure entrance would be constructed at the school, requiring visitors to check in with the administration office before going to the school.
The cost of the improvements at LHS is estimated to be $1.5 million.
Chessmore advised the cost board to allocate funds at the next school board meeting, scheduled for Monday, Feb. 13, so the Bryan project could begin.
“Every month longer you spread this out, you can add $4,000 to $6,000 to the cost each month,” Chessmore stated.
The school has to approve the allocation of the funds before the work can begin.
Assuming the work on Bryan Elementary begins Spring 2012, officials estimate it will be completed in August 2013.
Renovations at Lexington Middle School are projected to begin shortly after the start of the construction at Bryan Elementary.
Rules of Conduct
Welcome to the discussion.