By Tippi Rasp Staff Writer
Administrators at both Carver Educational Center and Lincoln Academy say pride is the top reward for students after renovations and improvements were completed at the schools.
Work approved by voters in 2003 at Lincoln included improvements outside on the school’s grounds, improvements to the building’s exterior, and extensive improvements, including flooring, ceilings, electrical and heating and air conditioning unit upgrades, inside the building.
The environment at Lincoln Academy, Enid Public Schools’ alternative junior high/high school, has dramatically im-proved with the addition of central heat and air and new windows, Lincoln Principal Jarry Hillman said.
Lowered ceilings provide less echo and new windows keep out more noise. New heating and air units also provide a quieter environment.
“It makes the learning environment so much nicer for the kids,” Hillman said.
Before the improvements, the hallways and classrooms had a dingy and dark look to them, Hillman said.
New windows and blinds also help regulate the room temperature better than before, he said.
Hillman also is proud of the new flooring recently installed in the school.
“It just makes our building look so nice,” Hillman said. “They’ve (students have) got a lot of pride in their building.”
Hillman said renovations in the school’s restrooms also were needed. Since Lincoln was formerly an elementary school, the bathrooms weren’t size appropriate for current Lincoln students.
Another set of bathrooms is scheduled for renovations with 2003 bond issue funds.
“We’re anxious to get the other two done,” Hillman said. “We’re hoping and looking forward to getting the rest of them done.”
While neither Carver nor Lincoln is scheduled for any building renovations in next month’s bond issue measure, administrators have seen what a difference improvements at their sites have made.
Clayton Nolen, Carver Educational Center director, said heating and air conditioning, new doors and hardware and new floor covering have made a big difference for the wide variety of students to which the school caters. Adults attend classes in the mornings, evening and nights, while a portion of the school holds the Head Start program.
“I can see pride in them when they come in this building,” Nolen said.
Both schools will see technology up-grades in the future if voters approve an $11.5 million bond issue Dec. 11.
Hillman said the 2003 bond issue helped Lincoln get a new junior high computer lab. With the computer lab also came a new school publication, the Lincoln student newspaper.
“It’s been kinda neat,” Hillman said.
Included in the proposed measures are a new Garfield Elementary School; ongoing renovations at Coolidge, Monroe, Taft and Glenwood elementary schools, Emerson Junior High School and Enid High School; additions at both Adams and Hoover elementary schools; exterior renovations at multiple sites around the district; about $1.2 million in technology; and $600,000 to keep the district on a bus replacement schedule.
