Madison Daily Leader - News - 01/16/2013 - MHS science wing now in use

01/16/2013

MHS science wing now in use

By ELISA SAND, Staff Reporter

Madison High School's math, science and consumer science teachers moved into their new classrooms on Tuesday, signifying the completion of Phase 1A of the school renovation project.

Phase 1A involved construction of a new science wing in the southwestern corner of the high school, as well as renovation of the band and choir rooms. The band room was converted into a new Family And Consumer Sciences classroom, complete with a commercial kitchen area for the ProStart curriculum. The choir room has been converted into a math classroom.

In all, the new space includes the FACS area, four science lab/classrooms and two math classrooms.

MHS Principal Sharon Knowlton said the project added one more science lab, providing a permanent space for the physics program. Each of those lab classrooms is bigger than the previous classrooms and is configured with storage cabinets and lab stations on either side of the room with desks in the middle. A chemical storage space is located between two of the labs.

Knowlton said that progress can now continue on the project with demolition of existing classrooms for the new library on the south side of the building and continued work on the new gymnasium.

The art, Spanish and computer teachers are all moving into temporary classrooms until their new rooms are ready.

The school project is right on schedule, Knowlton said.

"Their goal was that we would move this week and we did," she said.

The move was planned for the beginning of the semester to provide the least amount of interruption to classes. Knowlton said there are some minor items that need to be completed, but nothing that prevented the move from taking place.

An exterior finish on the walls will be applied this spring when temperatures are above 50 degrees, Knowlton said.

Each of the new rooms features visibly brighter lighting. Knowlton said it is also more energy efficient and motion sensitive.

Knowlton said completion of the library is estimated in May, and work on the new band and choir rooms will begin this spring as soon as construction of the high school gym is complete. Demolition of the auditorium is slated for April. Knowlton said officials are working to obtain permission to use the Dakota Prairie Playhouse for the MHS spring play.