Students returning to Gresham Community School in September should notice a few changes.
Replacement work is under way on the gymnasium floor, which school officials said had been in place for at least 20 years.
Stalker Flooring, based in New London, is doing the floor work, estimated to cost $103,000.
According to business manager Holly Burr, the gym also received a fresh coat of paint.
"We gave it all a fresh new look,” Burr said.
Also, the school is doing away with its computer lab and has purchased 35 laptop computers to make the library a full media center.
In addition to the laptops, there will be new video editing equipment for students to use for school projects, said science teacher Troy Kuhn, who is coordinating the technology portion of the renovations.
There will also be two flat-screen televisions installed for educational use, he said.
The new technology equipment is expected to cost the district $25,000.
“We’re trying to make the library more multimedia, make it more exciting for the kids to want to go in there,” Kuhn said.
The school is working to make the library its primary site to hold state testing, Kuhn said.
The school also purchased carts so laptops can be moved into elementary grade classrooms as needed.
Kuhn said the former computer lab will provide more space for special education, physical therapy and occupational therapy.
The district has been making a variety of upgrades for the last six years, Burr said. It has managed to keep the expenses within its regular operating budget.
“We just pick a project every year and fund it out of our operating budget,” Burr said, noting that previous summer work included repaving and expanding the parking lot, roof replacement, furnace replacement and improving the lighting fixtures.
Teachers have donated time to help with some of the nonconstruction work. Also, summer school students have made tables and other furnishings for the computer area of the library.
The district’s booth at the Shawano County Fair also raises thousands of dollars that go back into improving the school.
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