School opens in Decorah on Thursday

New student parking lot

School will open Thursday in the Decorah Community School District. Superintendent Mike Haluska says things are looking good in terms of building readiness and that staff are "in great spirits and looking forward to the arrival of students on Thursday." Enrollment appears to be stable, or possibly slightly increased, but numbers will not be final until after opening.

Although the High School is in the midst of renovation, students and staff are prepared to work around the construction zones and will already be benefitting from completed project areas. A partial update includes:

•    New restrooms on first floor located by former teacher's lounge to be   completed by this Friday or next Monday.
•    Completed classrooms on the north end of second floor.
•    Completed computer room located in media center, pending fire marshal approval
•    New second floor lockers expected to arrive in early September
•    Student parking lot adjacent to baseball stadium completed
•    Asbestos removal completed early on second floor tiles, south end; sealed concrete floor until these classrooms are renovated later.
•    Media center expected completion in October.
•    Second floor restrooms expected completion in October.

In another project, the tennis courts should be getting a second coat of asphalt on Wednesday. At that time the heavy equipment from that area will be removed in time for school opening. The asphalt needs to cure for about one month before final surfacing.

decorahnews.com will provide periodic updates on the ongoing renovations.

Tennis court progress

East doors closed

Work on media center

Final stages of classroom renovation