GRANITE FALLS — Work is expected to begin soon on a project to upgrade the old Granite Falls High School for middle school students.
The campus became vacant when the new high school opened in January 2008.
The school district expects to pay about $800,000, mostly on improvements aimed at saving energy at the old school at 405 N. Alder Ave.
“We’re now ready to move forward to hire a contractor to do the work,” said Mike Sullivan, the district’s director of business and operations.
Plans are for students and staff to make the move in the fall of 2010.
Among other improvements, the middle school students will have a better and larger gym and performing arts area, as well as modern science labs in their new digs, Sullivan said.
Most of the money paying for the building upgrade comes from state forest revenue that can’t be used for the day-to-day costs of running schools, Sullivan said.
The work will allow the district to better regulate heating costs at the school.
“By spending money to do an upgrade like this, we can save money on the operations side,” Sullivan said.
Part of the heating system has been in place since the former Granite Falls High School opened in 1974. It’s worn out and needs replacing, Sullivan said.
District leaders envision that the existing Granite Falls Middle School eventually will become a third elementary school. It also can be used as temporary quarters some day when improvements are made to Mountain Way Elementary School.
Eric Stevick: 425-339-3446, stevick@heraldnet.com.
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