BY JESSICA STEELEY
Clarkston News Staff Writer
Parking lots at Andersonville, Bailey Lake and Springfield Plains elementaries will be under construction during the summer.
Deputy Superintendent Shawn Ryan and project architects presented construction plans for updated parking lots and secure entrances to the Clarkston Community Schools Board of Education, Jan. 9.
Board President Steve Hyer said the goal is to have everything done over the summer and to cause as little disruption as possible to school while in session.
Plans and designs are still being finalized, and will then be put out for bid.
About $10 million of a $75 million bond is budgeted in the first year for these as well as some smaller projects and technology improvements, Hyer said.
Andersonville Elementary is one of the first Clarkston schools to have an updated secure entry. These new entries will still require visitors to buzz in to enter a building during school hours. The additional security measures will place a pair of locked doors between the front entrance and access to the rest of the school, forcing all visitors to enter through the office.
Besides the security, Andersonville will also have a remodeled front office space, as well as workrooms and conference rooms for staff.
Bailey Lake Elementary is scheduled to receive similar upgrades and both school parking lots are changing, along with the Springfield Plains Elementary parking lot.
While Bailey Lake is mainly switching the bus drop-off area with the parent drop-off, Andersonville and Springfield Plains will be undergoing more significant changes to their parking. The changes are intended to put parent drop-off closer to school’s front entrances and improve traffic flow.
The high school football field and connecting track will also undergo changes, with the track being completely redone.
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New curriculum proposals were also approved by the board during the meeting. Next school year Sashabaw Middle School (SMS) will offer a Coding II class for sixth grade students who want to continue learning computer coding. The class will focus on more advanced computer coding through game design and animation.