Construction, repairs slated to be finished by start of school

Roof work at New Ellenton Middle School and Clearwater Elementary School will be cutting it close to the start of school Aug. 17 but hopefully will be completed ahead of time, Deputy Superintendent David Caver said Monday.

Clearwater is getting a new roof and HVAC system. New Ellenton is receiving roof repairs after tornadoes that struck that area of the County damaged the school in late March.

New Ellenton Principal Elisa Sanders-Pee expressed confidence that the roof will be completed on time. Some kitchen equipment was also damaged, requiring the use of bag lunches for a few weeks last spring. At one point, district officials considered sending New Ellenton's cafeteria staff to prepare lunches at nearby Greendale Elementary School. That proved to be unnecessary.

"The hood in the kitchen needed to be replaced but may not be ready by the start of the year," Sanders-Pee said. "But at the end of last year, the district brought in warmers and supplies, and our students did have hot lunches here. We'll continue with that, and the district has made sure we have what we need."

The storm also damaged a portion of the administrative area at New Ellenton. Sanders-Pee and her staff have been using a classroom this summer and should move back to their offices soon.

Other summer projects include demolition efforts at North Augusta Middle School before a major addition of a new wing and cafeteria. Once a conceptual design is finalized, the project should be put out to bid around mid-September, Caver said.

Contact Rob Novit at rnovit@aikenstandard.com.