The Eastern Pulaski School Corporation may soon be upgrading its parking lots and cafeteria facilities, with funds left over from its recent renovation project. School board members and administrators have been putting together a list of improvements they’d like to see with the remaining $1.6 million. The school board met Tuesday to narrow down that list and decide which projects will move ahead.
Board member Beth Ruff felt the corporation should focus on cosmetic improvements. “When someone comes to check out a school, I think first impressions are really, really important,” she said, “and to have some pride externally as someone drives up to say, ‘Wow! This looks like a great place. I’d love for my kid to go to school here.’ I just think first impressions are really important and I think we have some work to do.”
Some of those exterior upgrades include redoing the 11 acres of asphalt in the corporation’s parking lots and repairing sidewalks and curbs. Preliminary estimates put the total cost for that work around $700,000. The canopy outside the Middle/High School was also discussed. Ruff and fellow board member Terri Johnston called for its removal, saying it looks dated, while Mike Tetzloff said he likes the structure.
However, some interior improvements are also considered priorities, especially upgrades to the cafeterias. Superintendent Dan Foster says the floors need to be replaced in the Middle/High School cafeteria, as well as the Elementary School kitchen. Freezers, coolers, and other equipment are also set to be replaced or repaired. Foster pointed out that the corporation can use some of its food service funds, which currently amount to nearly $350,000. Board members suggested using half of that to help with the improvements.
Foster said that while some of the smaller work can be done or managed in-house, the larger projects will require outside help to solicit bids and oversee the work. The board supported the idea of staying with Gibraltar Construction, which handled the recent renovation project.
