New London schools hope to complete construction before school starts

NEW LONDON - The New London Community School District plans to have several construction projects under its belt by the time students return in the fall.

In addition to two new sets of stairs in front of the elementary building, the district underwent a remodel for its third- and fourth-grade classes, which included adding new flooring and painting.

The district installed lockers for fifth-graders, a completely new feature.

Superintendent Chad Wahls said the steps are about halfway completed while room remodels should be done by the middle of next week after doors and shelves on cabinets are placed.

'The steps are a safety thing. It's better for kids and visitors if they aren't walking down steps that are breaking or crumbling apart,” Wahls said.

'The rooms are much more welcoming. It gives teachers storage space and allows kids more space. They can put things away instead of moving around extra furniture,” he added.

The district also is remodeling its bus barn. Currently, the barn's garage doors fit only smaller modified buses due to size. With the new doors, future bus purchases can be made without needed modifications.

Wahls noted the total cost for the construction projects were about $120,000 to $130,000.

Currently, the district is only waiting for the bus barn garage door project to begin.

'Hopefully we are done before we start school,” the superintendent said.