We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
On June 18th, before the regular school board meeting, the Harlem School Board of Trustees held a ground breaking symbolizing the beginning of two major construction projects. The projects include Junior High/High School cafeteria expansion and new kitchen facility. A new physical education area consisting of a regulation sized gymnasium is in the works at the Elementary school.
Collaborative Design Architects out of Billings handled the design/engineering for both projects and Dick Anderson Construction out of Great Falls is the general contractor. These projects have been three years in the making and will take about 14 months to complete.
Back in January 2022 a construction committee was formed with a task to provide the Board with concepts to improve Harlem School District. Over the next 12 months the concepts were developed into designs so cost estimates could be provided and by January of 2023 the Board chose what projects would be moved into construction. Two primary projects fit into the approximately 12 million dollar budget the board had established.
At the high school the front entrance is being extended to enable a larger cafeteria area to accommodate the current and future student body. With this a new kitchen is being built and the existing kitchen area is being remodeled into a dedicated concession area as well as a nurse's office space. Also included with the enlarged cafeteria is the remodel of the high school secretaries office. The new design will enable the secretary to better view those entering the school and the cafeteria activity.
At the elementary school a new full sized gymnasium space is being added along with locker rooms and bathroom facilities. The space will have bleachers with seating space for assemblies, student presentations and some extracurricular activities. The plan, once the new gym is complete, is to convert the existing physical fitness space into a library and centralized teacher work area. Then the existing elementary library and teacher work area will be converted into needed classrooms.
