Windsor/Marshall area facility first of three elementary schools modernized and expanded with 2017 bonds to be re-dedicated by the district
WINDSOR – Although it and several of its counterparts have been in use since early September, Cheney School District officials held a re-dedication ceremony for the new education wing at Windsor Elementary School on Oct. 9.
School board President Stacy Nichol cut the ribbon on the new wing in a ceremony and tour prior to the board’s regular meeting. The $7.65 million expansion and remodeling work includes eight new classrooms, a new multipurpose room, remodeled kitchen, new secure entry and other site improvements. Those improvements feature new hallway cameras, additional parking, revised bus loop that safely separates students from vehicles, improved and safer pedestrian/staff parking and parent drop-off area and remodeled cafeteria space.
The project is part of improvements paid for through passage of a $52 million capital facilities bond in 2017. It’s the first work done to the school, built in 1958, since a modernization project in 2003. Prior to that, Windsor was modernized in 1994 and expanded with more classrooms in 1992.
The school on Hallett Road east of the Fairways/West Terrace housing development has the largest enrollment of any elementary school in the district with 604 students.
“I count bodies, not FTEs (full-time equivalent students),” Windsor Principal Vince Songaylo said.
Songaylo said the new wing is home to first and second grade students. Also part of the remodeling work was a reconfigured playground with additional equipment and new sidewalks for additional playground safety. The expanded cafeteria allows for two food-serving lines instead of one, giving students more space than the previous serving set up in one of the hallways.
OAC construction manager Todd Smith said the former kitchen has been doubled in sized and outfitted with new equipment, allowing the district to offer made-from-scratch cooking to take place at the school instead of being prepared at nearby Westwood Middle School and brought over.
The new multipurpose room comes complete with a new gym floor, better lighting and a projector and screen.
“This is a very dual function space for the district,” Smith said.
Re-dedication ceremonies will be taking place at the other two elementary schools benefiting from funding from the 2017 bond. The re-dedication ceremony for Betz Elementary School is set for Oct. 23, with the ceremony at Sunset Elementary School in Airway Heights taking place on Nov. 13.
Seven new classrooms, a secure entry and revised parent drop-off and bus loop were installed at Betz at a cost of $3.48 million. A new gym, 10 classrooms, secure entry, covered walkway and additional parking and drop-off area were built at Sunset at a price of $8.1 million.
John McCallum can be reached at [email protected].
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