LAKEWOOD — Improvements in technology, upgrades to facilities and new offices are coming to Lakewood schools.
The Lakewood School Board voted Wednesday on project priorities for the remainder of its $7.4 million in state match money.
First on the list are renovations to schools, including two new STEM labs catering to science, technology, engineering and mathematics for Lakewood Middle School, improvements at Lakewood High School’s stadium and a roof replacement for Cougar Creek Elementary.
“It’s a very exciting time,” Superintendent Scott Peacock said Friday. “That adds the capacity to give our students the opportunity to have access to technologies and learning experiences that are in line with the kinds of experiences they’re going to have in the real world when they leave. We can over time build a program that’s (grades) six through 12 that will have our kids prepared when they go out into the world.”
The stadium upgrade will prevent birds from creating a mess in the stands, Peacock said.
Next on the list are new operations and administrative buildings.
The operations office will house food services, facilities, transportation and technology departments. Costs are estimated at $1.5 million.
Before that project can take the next step, Peacock said he wants to talk with employees in those departments about their needs.
Currently, district administrators operate out of some portable buildings.
The new administrative building’s cost is projected at $4 million. Previous plans for the new district office were loftier with costs estimated at $6.5 million to $7.5 million.
“It’s still going to help us set up a collaborative effort of leadership,” Peacock said. “We think we can do all of these projects in a reasonable manner to allow us to support the priorities our community has identified.”
The district is hosting a forum at the high school on Oct. 9.
Peacock said he hopes to hear what parents and students want to create in Lakewood schools.
“Having that discussion is just a critical component of being able to move forward and maximize the benefits,” he said.
Joey Thompson: 425-339-3449; jthompson@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @byjoeythompson.
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