“Graves County Schools’ maintenance team, local contractors and associates from Harshaw Trane have worked hard to ensure that all major construction at both Graves County High School and Wingo Elementary School would be complete by the staff and students’ return on Aug. 6,” said Harshaw Trane project manager Ryan Given. “We are pleased with the progress and have even been ahead of schedule in some areas of the project. I think staff and students will be pleased with the level of comfort in the classrooms.”
Upon the students’ return to GCHS, new lighting and ceilings will be in the classrooms and cool air will flow throughout the building, just as it was before the last day of school. The 30-year-old HVAC system, a major concern for the district, has been replaced with a new energy efficient system. All furniture was returned to classrooms on July 29 and all start-up requirements for the chillers, air handlers and other equipment that provide cooling in the building were completed by Aug. 3, in time for teachers’ first day back to school.
In addition to the work done at the high school, construction at Wingo Elementary has remained ahead of schedule, with new ceilings installed in the classrooms and existing lights re-installed. Cool air is on throughout the building and furniture was moved back into classrooms in late July.
The majority of work is complete or nearly complete at Symsonia, Fancy Farm, Central, Farmington, and Sedalia elementary schools and staff and students already can see the difference.
“We have been very impressed with the lights! We didn't realize how dim the lights in our school were until we got the new lights,” said Melissa Paul, principal at Farmington Elementary School. “The lights are helping both the students and teachers see better in the classrooms and the lights have turned our hallways into a brighter atmosphere. The teachers and students were able to tell a huge difference and it's been great for our school!”
The project team has made great strides and improvements to all of the schools over the short summer break. Energy savings work will continue throughout the district after school hours to avoid disruption. Completion for all projects is anticipated later this year.
