Alpharetta Elementary School

The sounds of children laughing, shrieking and running through the halls at Alpharetta Elementary School have stopped for the summer  —  but they'll soon to be replaced with the even louder sounds of construction and expansion.

The 52-year-old school will seen the addition of 14,000 square feet to house eight more classrooms. The project will also includes the installation of new, energy-efficient air conditioning and maintenance work on water lines and cooling tower fans.

The carpet, ceiling and floor tile in the administrative offices, staff dining room and 22 classrooms will be replaced, and  the school’s security system will receive an upgrade, which includes more cameras on the property.

“We are excited about the addition and renovations to our school,” said Principal Pat Reed. “Schools are like houses in the sense that after a while you need to renovate,” he said.

The addition will take the place of the portable classrooms that have been located beside the school for a number of years now. Students that have been sequestered in the trailers will soon be housed within the main school building.

Construction begins this summer with changes to the parent drop-off area, re-striping of the driveway and repairing classroom floors. Renovations will continue throughout the 2009-2010 school year with construction of the addition, maintenance, repairs, re-carpeting and interior/exterior renovations. The work is expected to be completed sometime during the 2010 summer.

All renovation work will be done after school, over weekends, and during breaks from school,  Reed said.

Construction of the addition will take place during school days, but the site will be fenced and students won't be allowed in the area. "Under no circumstances will the workers be allowed to interact or enter the school during school hours,” she said.

There is a generally positive feeling the renovations and expansion, Reed said. However, two concerns have revolved around parking — or lack thereof — and trouble maintaining an orderly and convenient carpool.

Those concerns will be put to rest before school resumes at the end of the summer with additional parking spaces added and a new carpool cue,  school officials promise.

“Everyone pretty well knows that construction may involve some inconveniences but will ultimately result in an improved Alpharetta Elementary School,” Reed said.

- by Christine Foster, Atlanta Reporter for HelloMetro  (Click to leave a message)

Christine Foster

Christine is a freelance writer currently living in North Atlanta. She has worked as a reporter for numerous newspaper, magazine and online media companies, including the Florida Keys Keynoter and The Sunday Paper in Atlanta. When she's not working Christine enjoys baking and antiquing.