Construction to extend at Rickman Elementary School beyond the start of the new school year as work continues on the school’s addition.
Director of Schools Kim Dillon said the school will use temporary measures to keep the construction zone separated from students while allowing normal operations to resume.
“I think they’re concerned because the inside is not going to be ready,” Dillon said. “So basically what Steve said today was the workroom and the new hallway is going to be boarded up because they’re not going to be done.”
Dillon said the existing cafeteria will remain fully functional for students and staff just as it was during the previous school year. Dillon said a classroom located near the new hallway and workroom will also be available for use when school resumes.
Board Chairman Mitch Stonecipher said he received an inquiry regarding the safety of the Rickman gymnasium for student practices and open gym events through the month of July. Board member Mike Case said a previous structural issue involving a wall has created ongoing safety concerns regarding falling debris.
“I know they’re when that parapet wall fell down, they were concerned about the bricks kind of falling in and uh, just more of a safety issue,” Case said. “But I’ll find out tomorrow.”
Case said he is scheduled to meet with contractors on Wednesday morning to conduct site visits at Rickman, Allons, and Hilham. Case said the group also plans to visit the high school to receive a progress report on the gymnasium project.
Dillon said other athletic upgrades across the district are nearing completion, including the softball backstop which is now painted with netting poles installed. Dillon said the district is currently awaiting final pricing to purchase the netting itself.
“So for softball, the backstop is complete and painted,” Dillon said. “They’ve installed the netting. They’ve installed and welded up the poles for the netting and backfilled around the backstop.”
Stonecipher said the board is also exploring the possibility of securing grants for a potential indoor athletic facility. Case said certain grants through the Tennessee Valley Authority would require any such facility to be open to the general public.
