By William Meiners
Herald Staff Writer
[private]Thanks to an $8.2 million bond proposal approved by voters in February 2021, Fulton Schools are undergoing a major transformation. In addition to the summer construction projects, the bond is providing an update for transportation, helping deliver renovations in the elementary, middle, and high school buildings, ensuring a significant technology upgrade throughout all learning spaces, and leading to redesigned traffic and parking areas.
“The first project was the replacement of the roof at the middle school/high school in the summer of 2021,” said Tom Torok, superintendent of Fulton Schools. “This summer we are doing a total renovation of every classroom in both the elementary and middle school/high school. Renovations are also taking place in both media centers, kitchens, and the gym.”
All classrooms and hallways are getting new LED lighting and ceilings, Torok reported. The elementary classrooms are also getting new air handling units to improve heating efficiency. New egress doors are being installed in many classrooms and new windows are going in many of the elementary rooms.
Every classroom will also be getting all new furnishings, including desks, tables, chairs, and cabinetry. One noteworthy installation inside classrooms that’s sure to catch the attention of students are the 86-inch interactive touch screens.
“We are also very excited about the renovations to the middle school/high school kitchen,” Torok said. “This area has not received any significant upgrades in over 50 years. The kitchen is being totally redesigned so students won’t be served food in the hallways any longer.”
On the transportation front, traffic driveways and parking lots will be redone to include dedicated car and bus loops. “This will separate car and bus traffic and create a safer, more efficient way to drop off and pick up students,” Torok said. “And by the end of the bond project we will also have purchased seven or eight new buses.”
Though summer construction timelines are often tight, Torok hopes the buildings will be ready for move-in by August 12, and ready for students on August 22, the first day of school. “At this point some projects are ahead of schedule and some are lagging,” he said. “However, we built the school calendar with the ability to push the start date back if we need to.”
Supply-chain issues have played into some delays, though not necessarily the ones administrators anticipated.
“We expected to have issues with getting technology purchases on time, but computers, monitors, and the new interactive touch screens have been on site for months,” Torok said. “Oddly, it’s things like classroom uninvents, coolers for the kitchens, and partition walls that are backed up. But as I said we have plans to deal with those issues and should be ready for the start of the school year.”
All those improvements are designed to help students learn better. Torok said all classrooms will be brighter and structured to enhance learning. The new technology will allow both students and staff to more easily teach and learn 21st century skills.
In what may have been a sore subject for a long time, the transportation issues could be a big crowd pleaser. The revamped parking and traffic flow patterns is something that has been discussed for years and this will create a safer environment for our students particularly in the mornings and afternoons,Torok said.
Seeing some of the renovations quickly taking shape over the summer can be particularly gratifying for a superintendent.
“It has been exciting to see these changes take place,” Torok said. “As an alum, I have always taken great pride in Fulton Schools. To be a part of something so transformative for our district is both challenging and rewarding at the same time. This is a great time to be a Pirate and I am excited for our students, staff and the entire community that Fulton Schools will continue to provide the exceptional, small school learning experience for our students.”
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