Schools in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville School District are getting facelifts this summer as part of a $56 million bond project. Assistant Superintendent Greg Perry said work started as soon as classes were released for the summer. Perry reminded that the heavy rains in the early summer caused delays to construction, but work has progressed on all the school campuses.
A drive by the LC-M High School will show the extent of the changes going on there. Perry pointed out that the familiar quadrangle area of the high school campus has been demolished which included the elimination of the school library, the cafeteria, and several restrooms to make ready for new construction to start on the inside part of the campus pretty quick.
One of the biggest alterations will be the cafeteria at the high school. Perry indicated despite the old cafeteria being torn down the students will have a place to eat on campus when classes resume in August. Perry said the old P.E. Gym, also known as the hot box because it was not air conditioned, will be air conditioned and converted to serve as the place where the kids will eat. The kitchen from the old cafeteria will be used this school year, but is scheduled to be replaced later.
The famous quadrangle at the high school will be gone, but covered walkways are being installed to help students get between classes. If the weather cooperates Perry is hopeful that progress will be made in preparing the high school in time for classes to start in six weeks. Perry said temporary sidewalks are being constructed with covered canopies which will be used by students to get around the campus during construction, and Perry admits it will be a little rough for a little while.
First day of classes in the Little Cypress-Mauriceville schools will be August 24. Construction projects are going on throughout the school district in Little Cypress and Mauriceville as a result of the bond project approved by voters. After ground breaking for a new $13.5 million Little Cypress Junior High occurred last September, Assistant Superintendent Perry reminded a strange discovery delayed the project. Contractors uncovered over 100 buried trees that had to be taken out before work on the slab could be done. A couple sections of the foundation have been poured now with new sections being poured each week and actual building should start going up shortly there.
The main goal for the Little Cypress Elementary and Intermediate schools was alleviating the traffic backup on Meeks Drive according to Perry. The district was able to reroute traffic on to the school grounds and off of Meeks Drive. Perry observed first hand at the completion of the new corridor this past spring semester, and he counted 54 cars that were off of Meeks waiting to pick up their children leaving just a few on Meeks which was quite an improvement.
Perry stated that security for all the schools in the LC-M district is a top priority and is being addressed during the construction projects. Perry informed that the locked foyer security entrance allowing visitors to be buzzed into the school for Little Cypress Intermediate has been completed, but work is on going to have similar secured entrances at the other campuses.
Both Mauriceville school campuses are being renovated, but Perry indicates those projects have lagged behind. Perry explained that construction at Mauriceville Elementary and Mauriceville Middle School has had the biggest delays. It was actually the first project started, however, it is behind the other two major projects at this time. Utility problems seem to be worked out now and site work is going on including new sidewalks. Perry thinks the project is back on track and will move forward from this point.
Perry predicts LC-M High School construction to be completed in time for the 2017-2018 school year. Another change will be the front of the school will face east towards Highway 87 instead of north like it does now. The Junior High construction should be done by next summer. Little Cypress Elementary and Little Cypress Intermediate should be ready when school starts in August. The two Mauriceville schools should be complete in about a year and a half.
(Photo above is where the cafeteria used to be)
Dan Perrine, KOGT
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