By Staff
Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Eva's new junior high school has been cleared for occupancy following a final construction inspection, which was conducted by the contractor and school officials June 27. A public open house is planned for Aug. 9 at 6:30 p.m.
"Everything is ready to go with the exception of a few items on the final punch list," said Bruce Kimbrell, director of maintenance and transportation. "What remains to be done is mostly on the outside and won't interfere with the move."
He added that the phone system should be up and running next week.
"We started moving on Tuesday (the day after the inspection) and that will continue for the next two or three weeks," said Principal Shelia Burt last Thursday. "The library shelves are already half filled with books and several teachers are busy moving things from their old classrooms into the new ones."
"The teachers assumed responsibility for getting together their own moving crews," Burt pointed out. "Helping them are family members, parents of students and neighborhood volunteers."
"Everything is falling into shape and we're getting ready for school to start again," she added.
The $4.5 million facility has been under construction since the summer of 2003. It is located on the site of the old school, which was torn down and removed immediately after school vacated for the summer in May of that year. Delays caused by inclement weather prevented the school from being occupied at the end of the first semester last school year. In the meantime, classes have been conducted in temporary classrooms.
The new facility consists of 36 classrooms, a library, two computer labs, science lab, writing to read lab and administration offices. The existing lunchroom and gymnasium will continue in use.
Building Construction Associates of Decatur was the general contractor.