CLEVELAND — As students across Northeast Ohio head back to school, 3News’ Candice Hare took a closer look at some recent upgrades and construction projects completed at local schools.
EAST TECH HIGH SCHOOL
At East Tech High School in Cleveland, more than 7,000 square feet of flooring has been replaced across eight rooms, while a more than $1 million fire alarm system upgrade is in progress. That project was paid for using Cleveland Metropolitan School District Facilities Services funding. The school's PA system has also been completely replaced.
"Before, it was a stationed PA system, so you had to be in one area," said Aaron Creel, the Executive Director of Facilities for the Cleveland Metropolitan School District. "One of the neat functions of this is the principal and other staff members can time into the PA system from their phone. Even from home, he can activate and make announcements. So, this is critical if we have any intruders or things like that, we can communicate to students no matter where he is located."
Also seeing upgrades over the summer at East Tech was the Executive Grille. The student-operated restaurant now has a new outdoor seating and patio space thanks to help from several local partners.
ROCKY RIVER HIGH SCHOOL
At Rocky River High School, students have returned to find new kitchen equipment, flooring, lighting and state-of-the-art appliances among the changes made to the school's completely revamped kitchen space. The project cost was roughly $1.9 million, which was paid for via a bank loan and district permanent improvement funds.
District officials said this project was a long time in the making, as they noted it took more than five years to come to fruition.
"To have a space that we can really invite them into and serve really good, healthy food for them is very exciting," said Rocky River City Schools Nutrition Services Specialist Tina Wasserbauer. "We eat with our eyes first as we know, so having them come into a brightly lit, modern, clean area is a really great way to have them come in and get them to buy their lunch."
RIVERSIDE SCHOOL
Over at Riverside School in Cleveland, a mural was painted by art students. The silhouettes of children seen on the mural are all students who attend the school.
"Our population here at Riverside is so diverse and we wanted to represent each of our scholars in their own unique way," said Riverside Visual Arts teacher Madelyn Viets. "We like to call our mural 'Metamorphosis.'"
District officials say the elementary school's playground also recently received an addition that is accessible for students in wheelchairs. The cost of that project was just over $314,000 and was paid for using ESSER funds. Pre-K and kindergarten rooms also recently received new carpet.
"Every child here deserves to have an amazing facility to work and learn in," said Riverside Principal Heather Kama-Starr. "When you come in to fresh carpet and fresh paint, it makes you feel welcome, welcome in a way that isn't necessarily the same if it's a little run down and every kid here deserves that opportunity."