COLUMBUS, Ind. — About 150 people celebrated the completion of a three-year, nearly $20 million renovation process at Parkside Elementary School Monday. It is the first major upgrade under the Bartholomew Consolidated School Corp.’s (BCSC) “Envision 2030” plan.
The new interior spaces were all designed by teachers working under the leadership of Parkside Principal Chris Smith, according to BCSC Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Operations Brent Boezeman.
Right now, the school corporation is in the first of a three-phase construction schedule. Over the next six years, all of the main BCSC schools will receive some improvements as part of a $306 million plan, Boezeman said.
Significant renovations at Northside Middle School, as well as technical and equipment updates at Central Middle School, are also on the drawing board.
At Parkside, one of the most noticeable changes will be the relocation of the area for loading and unloading students, which has been moved to behind the school, rather than in front of it, Boezeman said.
Other changes at Parkside outlined by Boezeman and Smith include:
- An upgraded STEM (Science, Technology, Engineer and Mathematics) lab
- Newly improved art and music areas
- Flexible learning spaces and small group areas
- A new wellness center for both physical and emotional care
- Flexible seating options for students
- Established grade level neighborhoods with an abundance of natural light
- Improved safety features that includes a new traffic flow before and after classes.
For the complete story and more photos, see Wednesday’s Republic.
