SDHT Construction Update

Workers have continued to make excellent progress, putting the final touches on the building in preparation for the start of school. Inside, doors and hardware have been installed, interior glass is finalized, and classroom casework, flooring, ceilings, and lighting have all been completed. Painters are currently finishing touch-ups throughout the building.

All major building systems, including the fire alarm and public address, have been successfully tested and are fully operational. One important note: the gymnasium will not be ready for the first day of school, and construction will continue in that area during the school year.

All equipment has been installed in the kitchen, and contractors are working to finalize connections so the kitchen can open soon.

Outside, the parking lot has been paved and striped, and all new sidewalks and signage have been installed to ensure the new main entrance is fully accessible on the first day of school. The site contractor has finished topsoil work around the building and completed cleanup efforts.

The paved area of the rear playground will also be open for use at the start of school. Additionally, the green K–1 playground equipment has been relocated to the side of the building near the kindergarten classrooms. This new placement will support a dedicated arrival and dismissal area for kindergarten students.

The contractor’s laydown area at the front of the building remains fenced off, but it will be cleaned up and restored to grass by the end of September.

A few minor items will continue to be addressed over the next month. These tasks will be completed during second-shift hours to avoid disruptions in any occupied areas of the school.

It should be noted that the school district’s staff has done an incredible job preparing the building for everyone’s return, and the entire construction team is deeply grateful for their support.

The Coopertown Additions and Renovations project aims to enhance our students' educational experience by providing modern, safe, and inspiring learning environments. More detailed information and pictures about the project can be found here.

Link to Coopertown building renderings

Key features of the additions and renovations project:

• New administration with secure entry

• Grouped grade levels

• Special Education is located throughout the building

• Relocated Media Center

• Added stage/platform to Gymnasium

• Reorganized/New Cafeteria & Kitchen

• Expanded Lobby for event overflow and student movement

• Addition of collaborative learning areas

• Music classrooms grouped

• Expanded parking to accommodate separate bus & parent/guardian drop-off

All interior work scheduled for this summer has been completed. Contractors have been working hard installing significant new underground piping around the building. They’ve also established their laydown area at the rear of the site and begun grading and constructing the underground stormwater retention basin.

At the main front entrance, a portion of the existing building has been demolished to allow for the installation of new foundations. This week, crews finished constructing the “Cat Walk Tunnel,” which connects the parking lot sidewalks to the front entrance. All work in this area will be cleaned up and ready for the first day of school.

• Regular air quality checks will occur in the building and in the 5th-grade modular classrooms.

• The filters in our building’s filter system will be changed 5 times more frequently than regularly scheduled.

• Any area with active construction will be sealed off to reduce the amount of dust coming into the building.

Once school is in session, all construction activity will be confined to fenced-off areas. Any necessary work inside the building will be completed during second-shift hours, after students have left for the day to ensure safety and minimize disruption. Information will be shared with our community as we receive updates about the building project through construction phasing summaries. Again, thanks to the district’s staff for their help in getting the building ready for school.

The Middle School Cafeteria Addition is completed in preparation for the school's opening.