Brandon schools see summer progress

Masons, painters, electricians, plumbers, carpet and tile layers and a slew of contractors are busy transforming Brandon Valley Middle School into a safer and more spacious space by the start of school Aug. 23.

The $1.8 million project protects students and staff with a more secure entrance, enriches learning with a Smart Lab, enhances administrators’ work days with fresh, up-front offices, offers new restrooms and gives band and choir more room to make music.

BVMS is the last school in the district to get a secure entrance, which ushers visitors into the school through the office to sign in and get a visitor’s pass before being buzzed through.  

“It’s always been secure because we had an intercom, panic buttons, car greeters, locked door – but this just diverts all guests to the office first,” said Ty Hentschel, operations manager for the school district. 

The middle school is undergoing a musical chairs of sorts. Much of that space will be part of the new addition to the front of the school. The offices are moving into the old orchestra and chorus space, the orchestra and choir are moving south of the office and the Smart Lab is taking the former Industrial Tech room, which has doubled. Only the fate of the old offices is up in the air.

“This will stay like it is until we figure out the best method of attack,” Hentschel said. 

Administration will remain there until Oct. 31, when the new offices are slated for completion.  

While workers frame out the future office, the Smart Lab is already up and running. Staff are training this week at the technology hub, which was modeled after the Smart Lab built at Brandon Valley Intermediate School 2 years ago. 

“The Smart Lab is going to be a great addition to all students. Obviously it’s a take off on what they have at the intermediate school, and we’re very excited about it,” said middle school principal Brad Thorson. “The expansion of the commons is a great addition as well as the new restrooms there, especially during lunch. And of course we’re getting that true secure entrance. Students and staff are really going to benefit from all of this, and we’re just very excited about the improvements here.”

Construction will wrap up by Aug. 23 except for the new administrative offices and restrooms, which will be complete Oct. 31. Administration will remain in the interior offices until then. The addition will include a family restroom off the commons area, which is increasing by 30 percent.   

But when will the dust settle? 

“That’s a good question,” Hentschel said with a smile.

While cleanliness, cost and quality of the work are common challenges with building improvements, he’s pleased with the middle school improvements and progression.   

Over the summer several other improvements were made throughout the school district, including a repaved track and new windows at Brandon Elementary, resurfaced tennis courts, new gym floor at Valley Springs Elementary, new roof at Brandon Valley High School and new carpet at the Brandon Community Library.