Demolition, Construction Begin at Kirkwood Schools

Improvements and building projects approved by voters last fall are under way at several  .

Demolition of the north wing of Keysor Elementary began Wednesday as workers make way for new classrooms to accommodate all of the school’s kindergarteners. Other improvements, including a new gym, an expanded and remodeled cafeteria, and a new entrance and office area, are to follow.

At Robinson and North Glendale elementary schools, similar updates have begun. The improvements are intended to make it so all students can attend kindergarten in their home attendance areas by the fall of 2012. In past years, North Glendale, Robinson and Keysor did not have the capacity to serve all of their kindergarten students. Some had to go to Westchester and Tillman elementary schools for kindergarten, only to return to their home school for first grade.

The additional classrooms also will provide more room for full day kindergarten classes.

Robinson, Keysor and North Glendale also will be getting new gyms, multipurpose rooms and cafeterias.

Security is another focus of the construction. Offices will be moved to more centralized locations at the front of several schools, and vehicle traffic flow improvements are being made.

At North Kirkwood and Nipher middle schools, six new science classrooms are being built and renovations are scheduled. 

The improvements are the result of Proposition 1, a $33.5 million no-tax-increase bond issue that voters approved last November.

"I'm just thrilled for our kids," said school board member Heidi Meckes, who was co-chair of the Committee for Propositions 1 and 2. "It's going to be great."