Carla Clark | For The Republic Chris Smith, principal, Owen Studley, Amy Mocas, assistant principal, Sophia Eaton, during the ribbon cutting ceremony for the completion of a two-year renovation to the facilities and classrooms at Parkside Elementary School, Columbus, Ind., Monday, August 5, 2024.
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 Brett 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.
Outside, deteriorating piping placed beneath an slab in 1962 has been replaced with new piping that runs along the exterior of the building, Boezeman said.
It’s been about 15 years since BCSC completed a full-school renovation of all learning spaces in a building, said BCSC Superintendent Chad Phillips. That project only involved Columbus East and Columbus North high schools, he said.
In updating the Envision 2030 plan, Boezeman said crews began working at L.C. Schmitt Elementary this summer, with completion expected in two years. Design work is now underway for improvements at Northside Middle and L. Francis Smith elementary schools, as well as for a new elementary school on the far west side of Columbus, he said.
BCSC is receiving support from the Cummins Architectural Foundation in designing the new building. In April, the Boston-based architectural firm of Howeler+Yoon was chosen to design the new school, which is scheduled to open in August 2027.
Additions and renovations will eventually be made to both Columbus North and Columbus East high schools to meet career and technical education demands. Both high schools will also expand their space for physical education and extracurricular activities.
Elsewhere, BCSC is planning three relocations of specialized programs. The Bright Beginnings Early Learning Center is moving to the R.L. Johnson (formerly Jefferson Elementary) building, while the Columbus Virtual Pathway will be placed within the McDowell Education Center. Plans also call for the C4 Cosmetology classes to be placed within an expanded space at Columbus East.
While Columbus Mayor Mary Ferdon spoke highly of the ambitious long-term renovation plan, she saved her biggest praise for “the passion that our teachers here in Columbus and Bartholomew County have for educating students.”
“You can have all the big, bright, shiny new renovated buildings in the world,” the mayor said. “But it doesn’t take the place of a well-trained and committed team of people whose goal it is to take care of the needs of our children to help them become successful, as well as their desire to help kids meet their potential and succeed.”
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce President Cindy Frey was able to give the audience a unique and humorous perspective of the completed construction work , since she and her husband live near Parkside.
“Lots of activity over here, loud beeping noises and crashes,” Frey said with a smile. “We’re glad to see that come to an end, and to see students now in a place where they can enjoy it.
Sophia and Tyler Eaton, as well as another set of siblings – Owen and Henry Studley – were chosen from the Parkside student body to handle the ribbon-cutting ceremony in front of the 62-year-old school Monday.
Owen Studley, who is entering sixth grade, appears to have a good grasp of the corporation’s long-term plan.
“It’s really cool that all the (BCSC) schools are getting a big upgrade,” Owen said. “Parkside is looking amazing. I can’t wait to play basketball in the new gym.”
